A neutral arbitrator has reduced Calgary Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman's suspension for making contact with an official from 20 games to 10, according to multiple reports.
The incident occurred on Jan. 27, when Wideman, on his way to the Flames' bench after taking a big hit, collided with linesman Don Henderson. The collision appeared to have been made with intent, and Henderson reportedly suffered a concussion as a result.
Arbitrator James Oldham wrote in his ruling:
The Commissioner’s basic conclusion - that Wideman’s on-ice behavior resulting in Linesman Henderson’s concussion constituted physical abuse of an official calling for Supplemental Discipline for on-ice conduct - was correct. Also, the Commissioner’s use of League Rule 40 (“Physical Abuse of Officials”) as a framework for analysis was appropriate. The Commissioner’s conclusion, however, that Wideman’s behavior constituted intentional action within the meaning of Rule 40.2, automatically triggering a penalty of not less than twenty games, is not endorsed in this appeal because, in my opinion, that conclusion is not substantially supported by the totality of the evidence presented to me at the NDA hearing. In my judgment, the proper penalty should have been that specified in League Rule 40.3. Taking into account Wideman’s eleven years of discipline-free performance as a professional hockey player, there is no occasion to go beyond the ten game minimum specified in Rule 40.3. Dennis Wideman’s penalty, therefore, should be reduced from twenty games to ten games, and it is so ordered.
Wideman said the incident was completely unintentional, and apologized to Henderson. He's already missed 19 games during the appeal process, and Friday's decision will save him over $280,000 in salary, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.
#NHLPA requested in hearing with arb. Oldham on Feb. 26 to allow Wideman to keep playing while appeal was being decided; #NHL declined.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 11, 2016
On Feb. 17, Gary Bettman announced the suspension would be upheld after the league reviewed the incident and the NHL commissioner met with Wideman. Bettman said Wideman refused to accept responsibility for his actions, citing a text message Wideman sent to a teammate in which he blamed the fallout from the incident on "stupid refs and stupid media."
Wideman's under contract for another season at a salary of $6 million, and a cap number of $5.25 million. He'll turn 33 on March 20.
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Ridiculous! This suspension should have been upheld.
If you watch the video you can clearly see that Wideman was upset and took it out on an official.
I don’t buy the concussion defence. If the Flames truly thought Wideman was suffering from a concussion they would have immediately pulled him from the game.
There should be no intentional contact with an official allowed without sever repercussions. Precedence has been set… enough said!
Where I would like to see some changes to the officiating of the game is to make the on ice officials accountable and available after games to explain and justify their calls. If the officiating crew was made available to the media after the game, some of the rumoured “grudges” or singling out of players and teams could no longer be covered up.