Calgary Flames: What’s Going on with the Dennis Wideman Lawsuit?

After the end of the season, Calgary Flames fans were happy to be somewhat rid of Dennis Wideman. Well, looks like we may not be completely free from him after all.

The Calgary Flames have been stuck in a bad contract with defenceman Dennis Wideman for about two seasons now. He was good when he was initially signed on the five year/$26.250 million contract. I mean, I’m not sure if he was five million a year type good, but he contributed a lot. Especially in the 2014-2015 season when the Flames made playoffs for the first time in six years.

But then something happened and he wasn’t good anymore. Last season, he wasn’t the Dennis Wideman he was in 2014-2015. Then the whole cross-checking a ref incident in January and things haven’t been the same since. In fact, many fans (and analysts at Sportsnet alike) think there’s actually some sort of bias against the Flames by the refs because of Wideman. Even Sportsnet was calling it the ‘Wideman Effect’.

But that’s a whole other story.

Now, not only were the Flames stuck in a bad contract, but Wideman was also on a very strict contract – a no-movement clause. Basically, the Flames can’t put him on waivers or trade him at all without his consent. So the team was essentially stuck with him.

So Calgary Flames fans couldn’t wait until the end of this season because, and not trying to be mean or anything, but we were finally done with Dennis Wideman since his contract was finally up.

But it may be more complicated than that now.

Lawsuit?

As I’ve mentioned, there was that whole cross-checking a ref incident. That ref was named Don Henderson and he ended up suffering a concussion based off that play. Well now, Henderson is reportedly suing Dennis Wideman and the Calgary Flames for $10.25 million in damages. CTV’s Chris Epp initially broke the story.

The Flames, as we could all expect, have refused to comment on the matter since it is a legal process.

Now, I know just as much as you guys, so I’ll try to summarize everything into this one article.

Initial incident

On January 27, 2016, Calgary Flames defenceman Dennis Wideman left the game against the Nashville Predators after what seemed to be him cross-checking a ref into the boards. However, if we look at what happened just a few seconds before, Wideman actually gets hit hard into the boards himself and seems to be somewhat out of it.

Now, I’m not here to defend Wideman or defend the ref, I’m simply telling what happened. After that incident, Wideman was initially suspended 20 games for the incident for “deliberately striking an official and causing injury”. The NHLPA later appealed the suspension to reduce it to just 10 games. This appeal was later upheld by an independent arbitrator, which means Wideman got those ten games earnings back. Wideman still missed 19 games however, because he ended up having a concussion. A concussion that was caused by getting hit into the boards just seconds before he cross-checked the ref.

That definitely played into Wideman’s favor of getting his suspension reduced. And because of that, it was determined that the contact with the official wasn’t intentional.

Via The Globe and Mail:

"“I would never intentionally try to hit a linesman or a ref or anything like that.” Wideman said."

So now what?

Like I mentioned above, the official who was hit, Don Henderson, is suing Dennis Wideman and the Calgary Flames for $10.25 million in damages.

Via The Globe and Mail:

"Henderson says he was “completely defenceless” when he was “violently struck” by Wideman from behind. The hit left Henderson with a concussion, a neck injury that required surgery, as well as “pain and numbness in his right arm and hand, an injury to his right knee, headaches, anxiety and depression.”"

Henderson is seeking $250,000 in general and special damages and the rest is for lost wages and future earnings.

People on Twitter were quite divided by this. I didn’t see people more favoring one side, it was quite evenly split.

Of course, I can’t put a lot of tweets because, well let’s be real, I’m trying to keep this PG. But some people here definitely had very valid points.

Calgary Flames

First, Henderson hasn’t officiated a game after that incident and he’s also most likely never going to officiate again. However on the other side of things, did Henderson really lose out on earning $10 million? The $250,000 is quite liable for the physical and mental therapy he’s had to go through and the injuries he’s sustained.

I definitely think a lawsuit should be in order here. Hell, if I were a ref I would definitely do the same. I mean, maybe not for $10.25 million, but you get it. I remember seeing a tweet, however I can’t find it anymore, about saying that maybe Henderson shouldn’t have chosen to be a ref of one of the more dangerous sports. Which is definitely true and that’s a point we should be considering.

There must be some sort of waiver or contract these refs sign saying they could be prone to accidents or injuries as well. I mean, you’re on knife shoes with this heavy rubber thing being shot around. You’re not going to be completely free of injuries. Like I mentioned before, it was also determined that it was not intentional so all these points would definitely play into Wideman’s favor once this reaches a judge.

I also think it’s funny that Henderson decided to do this right as the Calgary Flames season ended. Like fans, you THOUGHT we were done with Dennis Wideman? Guess again.

Next: Flames need to re-sign GM Brad Treliving - and fast

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think Henderson can completely get the full amount he’s asking? I’m somewhat torn. Let us know your thoughts!

But I’m sorry to say Flames fans, we aren’t completely rid of Wideman just yet.