NHL suspends Wideman 20 games for abuse of official

The NHL indefinitely suspended Calgary Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman ahead of the 2016 All Star break, awaiting a trial and subsequent decision on what kind of punishment the blue liner deserved for cross-checking a referee.

During the second period of the Flames’ 2-1 loss to Nashville on January 27, Wideman was checked hard into the boards by Predators winger Miikka Salomak.

As a result of the suspension, the veteran defenseman will also forfeit $564,516.80 in salary. Gordie Dwyer of the Tampa Bay Lightning was suspended 23 games in part for abuse of officials during an exhibition game in 2000. The NHL’s Hockey Operations department was ultimately responsible for the disciplinary decision. Wideman wasn’t penalized during the game for the hit, because of that, the league actually had more broad powers to suspend him under Rule 28 (Supplementary Discipline), which covers “any offense committed during the course of a game”. With Henderson blocking his path to the bench, Wideman drilled the linesman in the middle of his back.

The last thing to factor in is that the officials on the ice did not call a penalty on Wideman.

“Throughout my career and I’ve been around for a few years, I think I’ve treated every official with the utmost respect and I would never intentionally try to hit a linesman or a ref or anything like that”, Wideman said following the game. Henderson went down, but got to his feet and was able to finish the game.

Physical Abuse of Officials – in making the announcement. He has two goals, 19 points and 30 penalty minutes this season.

He will not be elibible to return to the Flames’ lineup until March 11. He can then appeal further to a neutral arbitrator if the suspension is still six or more games after Bettman rules.