Dennis Wideman Suspension Upheld by NHL: Latest Details and Comments

The NHL announced Feb. 17 it will uphold Calgary Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman's 20-game suspension for checking linesman Don Henderson into the boards during a January contest against the Nashville Predators.

Yahoo Sports' Greg Wyshynski relayed the NHL's official statement on the matter:

On Saturday, Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.com reported that a decision on Wideman's two-day final appeal, conducted by neutral arbitrator James Oldham, is expected to come in the week of March 7.

According to TSN's Frank Seravalli, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said he was "troubled" by Wideman's "total failure to accept any responsibility for his actions."

Furthermore, Seravalli reported Wideman sent a Flames teammate a text message Feb. 2 saying, "(t)he only problem and the only reason I'm here is cause the stupid refs and stupid media."

Citing a source, Seravalli reported the text messages were acquired by way of the discovery process:

Wideman was officially suspended 20 games on Feb. 3.

However, Wideman and the National Hockey League Players Association have options at their disposal.

The NHLPA released a statement on Feb. 17 confirming it would be appealing to an independent arbitrator:

"

We are extremely disappointed but not surprised that Gary Bettman upheld the decision of his staff to suspend Dennis Wideman for 20 games. This decision completely ignores the effects of the concussion that Dennis sustained when he was driven into the boards eight seconds before colliding with the linesman. We will appeal to the Neutral Discipline Arbitrator in order to have this decision overturned.

"

On Feb 23, the NHLPA confirmed the appeal would be heard over Feb. 25 and 26.

"I was just trying to get off the ice," Wideman said of the incident on Jan. 27, according to Postmedia's Kristen Odland. "And, at the last second, I looked up and saw him."

The 32-year-old defenseman, who tallied 19 points prior to being suspended, will undoubtedly plead that same case if he chooses to engage in the arbitration process, but the league doesn't appear at all pleased with the lack of remorse he's shown in the days and weeks since the incident occurred.

With both sides seemingly dug in, it will be fascinating to see how Wideman's case unfolds in the eyes of a neutral arbiter should things progress to that stage.