The success of Calgary Flames has been one of the best stories of the NHL season, but one player in particular has stood out to Don Cheery.
In an appearance on Coach’s Corner with Ron MacLean, Cherry raved about the play of veteran defenceman Dennis Wideman.
“Wideman, he’s up there with the best in the league,” Cherry said. “He’s the last guy on the ice. The captain. The leader. This guy is something with the puck.”
Wideman has provided stability to the Flames’ blueline. The 32-year-old has averaged 26:15 minutes per game of ice time since the Stanley Cup playoffs began and has recorded three assists in four playoff games against the Vancouver Canucks.
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Cherry added that the Edmonton Oilers need to be target reliable defencemen such as Wideman to shore up their back end.
“This is an old-time defenceman,” he explained. “You love these guys. You have to get guys like this in Edmonton.”
Wideman registered 15 goals, 41 assists with a plus-6 rating throughout the 2014-15 regular season. He has appeared in 707 career games with the Flames, Washington Capitals, Florida Panthers, Boston Bruins, and St. Louis Blues.
“Boston got rid of him and (Johnny Boychuk),” Cherry said. “It’s unbelievable.”