Maybe Wideman should consider legal action against the team... or is it on him for saying he's fine. The player really shouldn't have a say especially if they might be concussed. But how does he sue the team he plays for this year and next. Could he sue when his contract is complete?Dappleganger said:
Wideman suspended 20 games for hitting linesman
- Thread starter GhostofPotvin29
- Start date
Dave Lozo does a good job (in my opinion of course) in dissecting the NHL's video on the Wideman suspension: https://sports.vice.com/ca/article/the-nhl-wants-you-to-believe-dennis-wideman-is-guiltier-than-he-is
The NHL really goes hard on the idea that Wideman purposely and aggressively cross-checked the linesman. Re-posting the forward angle video that to me really makes it seem much more incidental:
[tweet]692559523798765570[/tweet]
I'm not saying that Wideman doesn't deserve a suspension, I just don't feel like this happened deliberately and with intent to injure.
The NHL really goes hard on the idea that Wideman purposely and aggressively cross-checked the linesman. Re-posting the forward angle video that to me really makes it seem much more incidental:
[tweet]692559523798765570[/tweet]
I'm not saying that Wideman doesn't deserve a suspension, I just don't feel like this happened deliberately and with intent to injure.
bustaheims
Active member
There was talk on one of the broadcasts that the league would go heavy with a suspension so that it appeared that they had the officials' backs, so their union wouldn't take any action that could disrupt things. I don't know how much truth there is in that, but it's something worth considering. Expect Bettman not to make much of a change to the suspension and leave things up to an independent arbitrator - assuming Wideman and the PA go for that 2nd appeal (which, they likely will). That would allow the league to appease the officials while leaving Wideman with a more fitting suspension.
herman
Well-known member
Having been concussed before, I've done the exact same thing to a garbage can. I remember thinking, where did that come from? Why did that just walk up to get in my way?
It was a pretty hazy afternoon thereafter. I some how made it to lunch and was eating. And then I remember feeling a soft cushion against one side of my head (backseat of a car) and waking up in the hospital.
It was a pretty hazy afternoon thereafter. I some how made it to lunch and was eating. And then I remember feeling a soft cushion against one side of my head (backseat of a car) and waking up in the hospital.
Puerto Rico Suave
New member
I have a much, much easier time believing it was an accident than I do intentional. That little swerve thing that Wideman does in the last split-second before contact looked like a very natural "oh crap" surprise reaction. Plus, what motive does anyone have for railroading a linesman? In my 15 or so years of playing organized hockey, I can't think of a single time that I was livid or even mildly angry over an icing or offside call.
I do think any player is still ultimately responsible for their actions. Wideman was negligent and deserves a suspension but 20 games seems like a lot. Thing is, if it actually WAS intentional I think he should have got much, much more.... like in the neighbourhood of 82 games. Seems like the NHL just went "meh" and put the suspension somewhere in the middle.
I do think any player is still ultimately responsible for their actions. Wideman was negligent and deserves a suspension but 20 games seems like a lot. Thing is, if it actually WAS intentional I think he should have got much, much more.... like in the neighbourhood of 82 games. Seems like the NHL just went "meh" and put the suspension somewhere in the middle.
Wideman's serving the 19th game of his suspension tonight. The independent arbitrator still hasn't ruled on his 2nd appeal. Great system.
bustaheims
Active member
CarltonTheBear said:
It's super efficient!
Game #20 tonight! I hope 30 seconds after puck drop the arbitrator rules it should have only been 19 games.
bustaheims
Active member
CarltonTheBear said:
I kinda want him to have to sit out until there is a ruling - for, like, another 10 games. And then have the arbitrator say he only should have been suspended for 10 games.
lol NHL
GhostofPotvin29
New member
CarltonTheBear said:
"After further review the suspension is only 10 games, please rewind time back to February 23, 2016."
Basically what I said. Physical abuse + intent = 20 games, physical abuse - intent = 10 games. There wasn't clear intent here.
Awk-ward!
LuncheonMeat
New member
This sort of felt like the way it would go when the dates for making decisions were pushed out so far. In the end, Wideman gets his $$ for the second 10 games, and the officials probably feel somewhat better that Wideman sits for 20 anyway.
CarltonTheBear said:
Some follow-ups by Frank on this:
The last one is obviously the most interesting. We've never heard of a player having to give up things like text messages before. Why did the NHL decide that was necessary this time? It always seemed weird to me that they felt it was necessary to look at that information. Did they just get incredibly lucky when they found that message, or did they know what they were looking for?
