Calgary Flames' Dennis Wideman Willing to Waive No-Movement Clause

Calgary Flames D Dennis Wideman’s plan currently includes a no-movement clause. However, he has now come out and said that he’s open to and willing to waive it in order for a trade to happen.

Oh Dennis Wideman. He’s been quite the story for the last year. It’s no secret or surprise that Calgary Flames fans aren’t exactly very fond of Wideman. I feel like I could talk for hours about him.

Last season in January of 2016, Dennis Wideman had a bit of an altercation, if you will, with an official. Basically, he got checked hard into the boards and when he got up and made his way to the bench, he looked to cross-check an official. In the NHL, touching or fighting an official is completely hands-off, which I completely agree with.

The problem with that, however (and the NHLPA sided with Wideman for this as well as many analysts) is that Wideman actually ended up with a concussion because of that hard check into the boards seconds before that cross check. Now, the NHL is known to not be great at handling head injuries. And many people argued that this was further proof of that. But nonetheless, he got suspended for 20 games.

Now, ever since that, many people think that the officials have been against the Flames. So much so that there is something now called “The Wideman Effect” or some sort of Wideman conspiracy. There’s a full explanation of that here.

Now that we got that out of the way, let’s get onto Dennis Wideman’s contract.

No-Movement Clause

It’s no secret whatsoever that Calgary Flames fans don’t like Wideman. So with Wideman being a healthy scratch last game and being one for the next game, fans are quite pleased. As much as fans wanted Wideman traded, they knew it may have been slightly idealistic.

Firstly, nobody even knew about if any teams even wanted Dennis Wideman. He is quite overpaid and nobody knew if the Flames would be willing to retain his salary if he was traded. So fans thought they’d have to wait it out until the end of the season. Second, many fans think that other teams are slightly aware of this “Wideman Effect” thus thinking that no team would really want him on their team for a different reason besides money. And third, he’s not only overpaid but his contract is a little limited.

According to cap friendly, he is currently on a five-year, $26.25 million contract with an average salary of $5.25 million. Now, this is his last season in that contract (yay!). But not only that, he’s also on a no-movement clause. This is similar to a no-trade clause, where the player cannot be traded to a team unless he gives permission. However, a no-movement clause also requires that a player cannot be put on waivers or sent down to the minors without their permission as well. The only solution for a team in that case is to buy out the player’s contract.

Treliving says no comment

Wideman might make the conversation a little easier

Even though Treliving hasn’t commented on the matter, Wideman told Wes Gilbertson of the Calgary Herald earlier today that he would actually be willing to waive his clause.

Via Calgary Herald:

“If that’s something that (the Flames) want to do, then they can call and I definitely would be open to it,” Wideman said. “I think, as a player, you don’t want to be anywhere that you’re not wanted. So if they want to move you and someone wants to take you, then it’s nice to go somewhere like that if that’s the case.“And if I don’t hear anything, then I guess I’m here.”

Wideman has also said that he hasn’t heard anything from the team so no conversation has been discussed about his contract right now. But maybe this is his way of saying that if management wants to talk to him about his contract, he’s willing to discuss.

Now, I don’t know about all of you, but now I feel bad about talking smack about Wideman. Yeah, I know, he was quite the anchor this season. And even though he was a big factor in the Calgary Flames playoff run in 2014-2015, that was two years ago.

But now seeing him vocally express that he knows the team doesn’t want him here, it slightly breaks my heart. I posted this on Twitter and most people disagreed with me. Saying that he brought this on himself and that he’s already been paid a lot to do practically nothing and that he knows it’s all part of the game.

But still, you can’t help but feel for the guy.

Next: Flames acquire another Michael from the Coyotes

All jokes and fun aside, I really do hope that if he gets traded, it’s to a team that does want him and that he feels wanted with that team. He may not have given Calgary what they needed, but he can still have an impact elsewhere. And I wish him nothing but the best.

I mean, that’s if he gets traded. If he doesn’t… then I don’t feel bad.

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