The long and disorganized Dennis Wideman saga is over.
The Calgary Flames defender will return to the lineup versus the Arizona Coyotes on Friday after an independent arbitrator reduced his 20-game ban for cross-checking an official by half.
With the disciplinary matter closed six weeks after the fact and a small victory earned (Wideman still missed 19 games), Flames president Brian Burke came to the defense of the team and its training staff in a brief press conference before the game.
"I believe (Calgary's medical personnel) acted properly at all times and in all respects through this process," Burke said.
"Our protocol was followed to the letter," he later added.
Burke said Wideman "did not fall through the cracks" in terms of the training staff's execution of the NHL-mandated concussion protocol because Wideman first complained of symptoms after the game, not during.
Wideman was hit by an opposing player moments before he collided with linesman Don Henderson, who suffered a concussion as a result. Wideman was later diagnosed with a concussion himself.
Burke also wished Henderson a speedy recovery.
The NHL said it "strenuously" disagreed with the neutral arbitrator's decision in a statement Friday, promising the league would be "reviewing the opinion in detail to determine what next steps may be appropriate."
