Those hoping there will soon be a ruling on Dennis Wideman’s final appeal of his 20-game suspension for cross-checking linesman Don Henderson could be kept waiting for at least another week.
According to a report from Pierre LeBrun on Saturday, the ruling from a neutral arbitrator isn’t expected until the week of March 7. If that is the case, Wideman will have by that time served almost the full length of his ban.
“I would say that the National Hockey League on both levels of the appeal had offered earlier dates than the players’ association was prepared to take,” said NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly, as per ESPN. “But that’s not to disparage anybody because the case is a little bit different than it was.”
The two-day hearing took place Thursday and Friday in New York.
Wideman sat out for the 13th game of his 20-game suspension on Saturday night when the Flames played the Ottawa Senators.
And, when the week of March 7 rolls around, he could potentially reach Game 18 before a decision is announced.
Treliving when asked about dealing with the Wideman hearings "Challenging is one word for it. I have others..." Probably not suitable for TV
— Jermain Franklin (@TSNJFranklin) February 28, 2016