After receiving no reduction for his 20-game suspension from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman this week, Tom Wilson was given seven days to decide whether he’d take his appeal to a neutral arbitrator. It didn’t take quite that long to make a decision, as John Shannon of Sportsnet confirms that Wilson and the NHLPA will in fact appeal once again. This was not unexpected, as Wilson basically has nothing to lose at this point and could potentially see some of his lost salary returned to him.
When Dennis Wideman followed the same path and saw his suspension for colliding with an official reduced from 20 to 10 games, the Flames defenseman had already missed the original amount. What he did recoup by still appealing to the third party arbitrator was salary, which is part of why the NHLPA and Wilson will continue this course of action. The Washington Capitals forward has already missed nine games this season, and is scheduled to be eligible to return after the team’s November 19th matchup with the Montreal Canadiens. This arbitration process can be lengthy, and there’s a good chance most, if not all of his suspension will have already been served by the time a decision is made.
Bettman released a 31-page decision after a seven hour hearing for the first appeal, which detailed how the Department of Player Safety went about their 20-game decision in the first place. It also hoped that the long ban would serve as a “wake-up call” to Wilson in its conclusion, stating that the previous suspensions had clearly not been effective in deterring his behavior.
So, who represents Oskar Sundkvist’s interests since the NHLPA is saying there was no rules violation on the hit that caused a significant concussion to Sundkvist? Obviously the NHLPA cares little for the players who get injured since they always side with the offending player in the discussion. Can never understand that rationale.
It’s not about his suspension it’s all about the $$$ coming out of his pocket. He doesn’t care what he did to another player
I know that too but the NHLPA should be looking after the potential money loss by those who get injured and lose out on performance bonuses because they are off the ice due to the actions of another player. Those players are ignored by their union who is supposed to have their back too
The NHLPA stands up for their players against the league. They’re doing the only job they have. I’m sure the Blues player representative is active in this subject if it is such a big deal to them.
So who makes sure the league enforces their rules? The union is supposed to care about the health and safety of their members too.
He got a 20 game suspension… I don’t think anybody isn’t looking out for player safety here….
The union has been appealing to drop the suspension. The union claims there was nothing wrong with the hit. The union is not backing the injured player.
If the union wins the appeal then the union is telling their players that they think that it is ok for some players to put other players out with head injuries repeatedly. They are telling their players that the money earned by the offending players is more important than the health and careers of the players that the offending player hurts. Nice union that you pay dues to.
Exactly. I’ve never had a problem with hard hockey but this guy has been a repeat offender & makes it completely obvious he’s playing to hurt other players. Accept your suspension & knock off the crap.
Guy has been given numerous chances and wasted them. I love good clean hits in any sport but it’s pretty clear nothing is clean or not intended to injure with this clown. I say if this doesn’t get the message to him then make it half a season or just boot him period. Needs to stop before someone doesn’t get up from one of these hits.