Jump to content
The Official Site of the Vancouver Canucks
Canucks Community

[Report] Dennis Wideman suspended 20 games


Recommended Posts

3 minutes ago, Chalky said:

I wonder if the Flames had followed the protocol, would Wideman have had a better chance at using that as an excuse...reason, whatever you call it.  From the way the rule is written and the optics of the hit, 20 games seemed inevitable.

I agree with you 100%.  I wonder if he gets even suspended at all, if he's taken out of that game at that moment?  The Flames really dropped the ball on this one.  I guess the coaches didn't see what Wideman did, because they would have pulled him immediately if they did - I would think they would - to protect the player from league consequences.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The media was doing such a good job spinning it in his favor I really thought he'd end up with 10 or less. I'm glad he didn't. I don't believe for a second he didn't know what he was doing. And the fact that he didn't even look back to see if the guy was okay only proves to me that he meant it.

We all complain about the officials and talk about how they have to be able to deal with some backtalk, but I think most of us can agree that they have to be safe from being physically assaulted in their workplace. Period. This deliberate physical abuse of an official deserved 20 games and I'm glad it got it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

37 minutes ago, Fateless said:

Still think it should have been 10 based on the circumstances. I don't think Wideman was all there when he ran into the linesman and therefore lacked the intent required to give the 20 game suspension.

That's what you think but have no proof.  His actions were not evasive but aggressive.  the league had to stand by the refs in a big way on this one or it would be open season.  Seen lots of guys pushing refs this year and it needs to be stopped, 

20 games sends the message it is intended to.  "Hands off the refs, regardless of the circumstances".

Link to comment
Share on other sites

30 minutes ago, Fateless said:

You can't indict a player for a failing on the organizations part of not following a different set of rules that aren't connected to the current punishment. Regardless of how the Flames responded to Wideman being woozy doesn't change the fact that Wideman was CLEARLY woozy on his way to the bench and on the bench. 

"Woozy" or hurt.  He was in discomfort for sure but he didn't wobble skating back which would indicate he was "woozy".  He was hurt and pissed off.  He hit the ref and followed through.  That would be a five minute major, a game and suspension if done against a player.  Against an official, it is worthy of 20 games.

If players get penalized and suspended for careless use of their stick regardless of intent, why should Wideman get leniency regardless of intent when hitting an official? 

Too many apologists for WIdeman.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

33 minutes ago, Fateless said:

I didn't say Wideman was concussed, but he was clearly woozy and not thinking straight on his way to the bench. If you watch Wideman's reaction on the bench, the guy didn't even realize what he did until his teammates came over and started talking about it. 

I think this is the league just laying down the law (albeit incorrectly) because of the hate a lot of people feel towards the referees. I hope Wideman appeals it because I honestly don't see him intending to run over a referee on his way to the bench. 

Rules dictate 10 games for unintentional "abuses" and 20 games for intentional. The fact they called this intentional just doesn't seem all that supported by the circumstances in my mind.

Well you missed the fact that they didn't follow concussion protocol, therefore eliminates the reasonable doubt Wideman had. 20 games minimum. 

If he appeals, give him 25 games. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Also, to those who think he was 'out of it', how is it that you think he has enough control of his legs to skate to his bench, but not enough to control his arms? Are his legs and arms controlled by different areas?

Also, ouch:

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Wideman will forfeit $564,516.20. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I also thin Kassian should have received 5 or 10 for his deliberate shove of a referee in the game he was ejected for.  He didn't accidentally make contact going after another player, he deliberately shoved a linesman who was escorting him form the scrum.

The league really needs to come down hard on players taking liberties...it's a slippery slope.  I hope the Wideman decision makes players take notice but the league needs to be consistent and have a zero tolerance for shoves or any aggression towards officials.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

24 minutes ago, TimberWolf said:

The suspension is fair and I would not want to defend Wideman anyways but there is a tiny voice in my head wondering if he hit the first zebra he saw because he was clocked in the head on the play and no whistle at all.

 

If that's the case, while you shouldn't ever hit a ref it wouldn't surprise me if players are having enough of what is being let go. Not saying this is the case but an "I wonder"

Why didn't he get 'revenge' on a player on the other team?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Excellent. I honestly thought he'd only get 10 games but 20 sends the message loud and clear. Losing half a million dollars in salary also emphasizes the statement that you cannot cross check an official in the game. There were no mitigating factors in this incident....none at all. Not only did Wideman's actions in the game hang him but his words afterward only signed, sealed and delivered his fate.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Fateless said:

Still think it should have been 10 based on the circumstances. I don't think Wideman was all there when he ran into the linesman and therefore lacked the intent required to give the 20 game suspension.

Blame the Flames coaching staff then for not using the concussion protocol and instead electing to keep him in the game.

Based on this, the argument that he was woozy has no credibility. 20+ games would be about right.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...