"The NHL came down hard on former Boston Bruins (and now Calgary Flames) defenseman Dennis Wideman today. Wideman was suspended for twenty games for his hit on NHL linesman Don Henderson just before the All-Star break. That hit will prove costly for Wideman, who will now forfeit over half a million dollars ($564,516) from his $5.25 million paycheck. So far this season, the 32-year-old Wideman has 19 points in 48 games played this season.Wideman is still apologetic over the hit, but he still believes that he wasn’t trying to hurt Henderson who was at the hospital for most of the night due to the hit. Henderson had also undergone part of the concussion protocol to make sure the hit wasn’t that serious.More from Bruins NewsBruins release Prospects Challenge roster, schedule TuesdayBruins bringing back familiar forward on tryout contractThe Bruins should take a look at these four free agentsNHL Network lists Ullmark as sixth-best goalie in the leagueThe Lasting Legacy of David Krejci“I just saw him at the last second,” said an apologetic Wideman after the game last Wednesday. “I was going to try to go [along] the boards, and he kind of moved towards the boards a little bit. I was kind of stuck in the trolley tracks there. It was an accident. I feel really bad about it.”"
"“It was obviously, in my view, not intentional. I would never try to hurt a linesman or a ref or anything like that. So, yeah, I’d be surprised. If that happens, all I can do is tell them my side, tell what happened and hope for the best.”This is the rule that the league used to throw the book at Wideman:40.2 Automatic Suspension – Category I – Any player who deliberately strikes an official and causes injury or who deliberately applies physical force in any manner against an official with intent to injure, or who in any manner attempts to injure an official shall be automatically suspended for not less than twenty (20) games. (For the purpose of the rule, “intent to injure” shall mean any physical force which a player knew or should have known could reasonably be expected to cause injury.)Wideman is expected to appeal the decision. He will not be allowed to play while he appeals though. If he goes before Commissioner Gary Bettman, he could get the penalty reduced, but it’s highly unlikely. Wideman didn’t end up undergoing any form of concussion protocol that would have helped his case. He could further appeal to a neutral arbitrator if he doesn’t like Bettman’s response.Wideman spent four years with the Black and Gold. He was traded by the Boston Bruins to the Florida Panthers in a package deal that brought Nathan Horton and Gregory Campbell to Boston. Those two players helped the Bruins win the Stanley Cup in 2011."
