Morning Skate: Another day, another controversy for the NHL

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Lace 'em up. Time for the Morning Skate.

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MORE CONTROVERSY

The NHL just can't help itself. Less than a week after the John Scott All-Star Game controversy officially subsided, the league finds itself mired in another featuring Calgary Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman. On Wednesday, the NHL suspended the veteran for 20 games after determining his hit on a referee a week ago was intentional.

The NHLPA immediately appealed the decision, and it's not hard to see why. Wideman argued he was "woozy" after taking a hit before the incident, and the NHL even admitted in their ruling video that he was concussed. It's also been reported that the NHL's concussion protocol wasn't followed, explaining why he remained in the game. So why wasn't that taken into consideration by the league? Simple. If they admitted he was concussed, they'd be admitting their system is broken. They can't have that.

Stay tuned. This situation might get messy.

MEANWHILE, IN REAL HOCKEY:

• The Canadiens lost again. I'm running out of things to say about them. Luckily our Habs blog isn't, and they'll tell you just how historically awful Montreal has been.
• The Habs are so bad they're refusing to name a player of the month for January.
• In good Flames news, Sean Monahan recorded four points in a big win over the Hurricanes on Wednesday.
• Buffalo's Jack Eichel continued his point-per-game pace in the Sabres win over the Habs.
• Tampa Bay used special teams prowess to put down the Red Wings.
• The Red Wings looked very much like a team without purpose against the Lightning.

• No, the NHL doesn't need to expand the playoffs.
• Could P.K. Subban ever become a Boston Bruin?
• Once again, the playoffs are a long shot for the Ottawa Senators.
• It hasn't taken long for the Nashville Predators' blue line to find balance after trading Seth Jones.
• The Devils are putting Martin Brodeur's number in the rafters next week. All About The Jersey opines on his value to the franchise.
• The Oilers should consider trading Darnell Nurse.
• The New York Rangers have a Keith Yandle problem. Could trading for Kevin Shattenkirk solve it?