Dennis Wideman, Re-Introducing Your Calgary Flames
By Len Nunes
Jan 9, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman (6) skates with the puck against the St. Louis Blues during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Snippets from the June 27, 2012 Yahoo Puck Daddy article, “Flames sign Dennis Wideman to 5-year, $26.25-million deal after trade with Capitals“:
"“…the Calgary Flames traded a fifth-round pick in 2013 and RFA defenseman Jordan Henry to the Capitals for Wideman, and then signed the puck-moving defenseman to a 5-year, $26.25-million contract. That’s an average annual value of $5,250,000.(UPDATE: Pat Steinberg of the FAN 960 in Calgary reports that Wideman’s contract also includes a full no-movement clause. Wideman is now the 10th player on the Flames roster who has either a no-trade or no-movement clause in their contract.)”"
2012-13 was the year of the NHL lockout, therefore Dennis Wideman’s first season in Calgary was limited to 46 games. Here are couple quotes from Calgary Flames Head Coach Bob Hartley during the course of Mr. Wideman’s first season in Alberta (via The Hockey News):
"Calgary Herald | 01/31/2013 9:40 AMCalgary ranks sixth this season with a 29.4% power-play success rate. Wideman has personally chipped in with two power-play assists, but Flames coach Bob Hartley thinks he’s done even more than the numbers imply. “Puck control. Vision,” said Hartley. “Every other team, they really respect his shot. Obviously, if they don’t pay attention to him, he’s going to shoot. We all know the quality of his shot. And if they pay attention to him, that opens other guys. He’s bringing us a totally new dimension.” Wideman leads the Flames in total power-play ice time.Calgary Herald| 02/09/2013 2:29 PM"
"“He (Wideman) has that poise with the puck that kind of puts opponents to sleep,” head coach Bob Hartley said. “He makes the right decision. If he has the shot, he wants to shoot. If not, he always finds the open man.”"
Last season, Dennis Wideman would again only play in 46 games but this time due to injuries. Once again, here’s The Hockey News updates on Wideman’s injuries last season:
"Flames.nhl.com | 11/28/2013 2:28 PMDennis Wideman is expected to miss six to eight weeks with a broken hand. He was placed on injured reserve by the Flames on Thursday….He has 12 points and a minus-6 rating in 24 games this campaign. Wideman also takes plenty of shots and he plays a rugged game that Calgary will miss. He leads the team with 26:14 of average ice time per contest"
"Wes Gilbertson on Twitter| 04/09/2014 1:35 PMDennis Wideman (upper body) won’t return before the conclusion of the season. Wideman will consequently finish the 2013-14 campaign with four goals and 21 points in 46 games."
The knock on Dennis Wideman is not his offensive prowess. Four times during Wideman’s nine year career he has scored 10 or more goals in a season. Each of the seasons which Wideman scored 10 or more goals, he had a minimum 160 shots. If Wideman were able to play in 70+ games this season for Calgary, suggesting 160 shots on goal and 10 goals are a feasible, realistic goal.
The worry about Dennis Wideman is when he is in his own zone. As the years have gone by, the effort level 31 year old Wideman in the defense has improved…same goes for his shoot-outs.