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According to one of Henderson's friends in the officiating
business, the recent surgery was aimed at repairing two ruptured
disks in his neck, the result of the hit, per Kevin Paul
Dupont's report in the Boston Globe.
Wideman was suspended 20 games, but that was reduced to 10 games
by a neutral arbitrator, although the defenseman had already sat
out 19 games when the decision made following an appeal.
Wideman apologized, saying the collision was "completely
unintentional" after he took a hard hit seconds before knocking
down Henderson, 47, from behind on his way to the Calgary bench.
The NHL later confirmed Wideman sustained a concussion on the
hit.
The latest news comes days after the NHL reportedly dismissed
neutral arbitrator James Oldham, who reduced Wideman's initial
suspension. SportsBusiness Daily's Liz Mullen first reported
that development.
A neutral arbitrator must be acceptable for both sides, and the
NHL, clearly disappointed by the reduced suspension, exercised
its right to move on.
"We believe that Arbitrator Oldham, in reaching his decision,
exceeded his contractual authority by failing to properly apply
the parties' collectively bargained standard of review," NHL
deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in June.
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