Wideman Out of Flames Lineup for Rest of Season

Calgary Flames Defenceman Dennis Wideman is out for the remainder of the season with a tricep injury.  The injury occurred on Wednesday during the game against the Winnipeg Jets. Wideman collided with Joe Colborne in the first period and didn't return.

Wideman had amassed two goals and 17 assists (19 points) in 51 games this season, a let down after he put up over 50 points last year.  He was out of the lineup for 19 games serving a suspension for his part in a collision with Linesman Don Henderson in a game against the Nashville Preditors on January 27th.  Some question whether or not the maneuver put Calgary in the bad graces of the refs.

With Wideman the majority of the load will likely be put on Captain Mark Giordano and Dougie Hamilton down the stretch as the season is coming to a close.  Expect Jakub Nakladal to see additional time as well on the right hand side while Deryk Engelland will probably be a lock in the lineup for the rest of the year.

This should make things a bit more interesting down the stretch.  At the very least this will open up another spot for the Flames to triage another piece of the youth movement (most likely Tyler Wotherspoon again).  Still, it should be interesting to see if the penalty differential swings back the other way with the departure of the man who may very well be the referees public enemy number one.

Stay tuned.