Fantasy Fallout: Dennis Wideman's Indefinite Suspension

The NHL announced Thursday that Calgary Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman will be suspended indefinitely for cross-checking linesman Don Henderson in a Wednesday game. Wideman has said the incident was unintentional, and will have a hearing with the league next week. Here's a look at the fantasy implications if Wideman, as expected, misses some time:

Daily Fantasy

With five fantasy-relevant defensemen on the roster, DFS owners had likely begun to gravitate to other Flames, with Wideman only tied for third in team scoring among blueliners with two goals and 17 assists in 48 games. Wideman appears destined to fall well short of last season's 56 points, with or without a suspension.

Without a huge difference on most DFS sites between Wideman, T.J. Brodie, Dougie Hamilton and Kris Russell (the premium-priced Mark Giordano is in another tier), the 11-year veteran likely hasn't been a popular option of late, given his current seven-game pointless streak.

Wideman ranks third among Calgary defenders with 75 shots, and is fourth in average ice time, at 21:03 per game. Hamilton, currently at 19:03 of ice time, would likely see the biggest boost with Wideman out of the lineup.

More ice time for Hamilton should further help the 2011 first round pick develop his already promising offensive skills; Hamilton has six goals and 13 assists on the season, and ranks second among Calgary's defensemen with 97 shots.

Redraft Fantasy Leagues

Given his performance thus far, Wideman likely hasn't been living up to the expectations of where he was drafted in most fantasy leagues. Depending on how long the suspension ultimately is, he could be a candidate to cut if there's no injured reserve spot to stash him in. Holding on to Wideman may prove to be a wise move, though, if he's traded before the February 29 deadline.

Wideman's clearly fallen down the Calgary pecking order, but he may be able to fill a role on a team more in need of offense from the blueline. If the deadline day cliche of "puck-moving defensemen" being hot commodities is true, then Wideman should have no shortage of suitors, despite having a year left on his contract after this season.

Waiver Wire Targets

• Calgary defensemen Kris Russell and Dougie Hamilton. Hamilton's only available in approximately 20 per cent of fantasy leagues, so he's somewhat of a long shot. Russell is a more attainable target, and is especially valuable in formats that reward blocks. Russell averages 3.47 blocked shots per game, and has led the NHL in that statistic each of the past two seasons. He's also registered three goals and 11 assists in 45 games this year.

• Anaheim defenseman Shea Theodore has two goals and four assists in his last six games while seeing action on the top power play unit. The rookie's future is somewhat up in the air with the impending return of Cam Fowler (knee) after the All-Star break, but it's hard to imagine he hasn't earned a permanent NHL role. Fowler himself is an option as well, should he be available.