[News] Concussion depositions reveal Devils, Flames, Canadiens failed to follow protocols

[sureLoss]

https://theathletic.com/388088/2018/...low-protocols/

Testimony from league officials and NHL team executives revealed that the New Jersey Devils, Calgary Flames and Montreal Canadiens were all found to be noncompliant in following certain NHL-mandated rules. And though these depositions reference penalties to both the Flames and the Canadiens, testimony indicates the Devils were neither fined nor disciplined for their infractions.

In Grand’s deposition, she was asked: “Has any GM ever been disciplined by the league for failure to comply with concussion protocol?” to which she responds that both Calgary and Montreal were fined, though it is not clear in the unredacted depositions why each team was fined.

An NHL spokesperson declined to comment when asked via email why both teams were fined and when. Calgary also declined to answer questions. (“We will not be making any comment relative to this subject matter based on ongoing litigation,” a team spokesperson said via email.) Montreal did not return an email seeking comment.

[Erick Estrada]

Hopefully the Flames have learned from this and these matters are handled better in the future. I imagine the Flames incident is Wideman?

[GordonBlue]

devils got away scot free. wonder how they can justify that.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

First thought that came to my mind about the fine was the "Wideman incident".

However, the Flames need to be better about this issue, if for no other reason than to limit their personal liabilities in the upcoming onslaught of litigation on the horizon. Players are mad and they're going to be filing class-action lawsuits against the league and possibly individual teams.

Time to get on the right side of this issue, NHL.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by GordonBlue

devils got away scot free. wonder how they can justify that.

The Devils know where Bettman buries the bodies. They're also likely harbouring Jimmy Hoffa and have a set of keys to Area 51.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Hopefully the Flames have learned from this and these matters are handled better in the future. I imagine the Flames incident is Wideman?

How were the Flames supposed to test Wideman for a concussion while he was still on the ice?

Wideman left after the hit following this protocol.

[GordonBlue]

did the article state the time period when the infractions took place?

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Wideman left after the hit following this protocol.

He came off the ice, refused treatment and then played. Despite the league appointed concussion-spotter saying he had to go to the Quiet Room for evaluation. That's all against protocol.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

He came off the ice, refused treatment and then played. Despite the league appointed concussion-spotter saying he had to go to the Quiet Room for evaluation. That's all against protocol.

I must not have remembered that correctly

[GioforPM]

Since the Flames reference ongoing litigation, it has to be Wideman.

I'm pretty sure I saw someone in the finals shake off a trainer who was trying to get him to go to the QR. I can't remember who it was.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Since the Flames reference ongoing litigation, it has to be Wideman.

I'm pretty sure I saw someone in the finals shake off a trainer who was trying to get him to go to the QR. I can't remember who it was.

Most likely Orpik.

[neo45]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Since the Flames reference ongoing litigation, it has to be Wideman.

I'm pretty sure I saw someone in the finals shake off a trainer who was trying to get him to go to the QR. I can't remember who it was.

James Neal?

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I must not have remembered that correctly

Yeah, Oiling's right. I'm pretty sure that incident also directly resulted in the league taking the responsibility of pulling a player away from the teams and placed into the hands of a third party behind the benches.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by neo45

James Neal?

Yeah Neal was like “hey man, I clearly dove... quit making me fake it more”.

Edit: maybe this was against the Jets....

[Toonage]

If I recall correctly, Neal was hurt in one game but did go to the room. Orpik was hurt twice during the series and each time stayed in the game. One time he landed on his head but afterwards claimed it was his shoulder he hurt.

[mikeecho]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

He came off the ice, refused treatment and then played. Despite the league appointed concussion-spotter saying he had to go to the Quiet Room for evaluation. That's all against protocol.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but as I recall at the time of the incident, the spotters were affiliated with the NHL teams and not "league appointed" spotters. They also didn't have the ability to remove players from the game for assessment. Players could refuse the request to leave the game for evaluation.


I thought the concussion protocol was changed afterwards to include spotters that were independent from NHL teams and that players/teams/etc... could face penalties for refusing to leave the game for evaluation.

[FanIn80]

"Failed to follow protocols" could mean anything from forcing a player to play with a concussion to just simply filling documents late.

I'm not going to comment further than that until the details and context are known.

[dino7c]

Remember when the Oilers lost their #### because McD had to go to the quiet room during a PP?

And yeah it happened multiple times throughout the playoffs where a guy cleary woozy refused to leave.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

"Failed to follow protocols" could mean anything from forcing a player to play with a concussion to just simply filling documents late.

I'm not going to comment further than that until the details and context are known.

I really doubt they'd even mention it if it was seriously just late paperwork.

(Also, paperwork relating to health can be serious stuff.)

[FlamesFanTrev]

Originally Posted by Locke

The Devils know where Bettman buries the bodies. They're also likely harbouring Jimmy Hoffa and have a set of keys to Area 51.

Yea... New Jersey.....