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Chris Wideman knows he’s no good

 Manuel Sperandio-Lemay
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Chris Wideman knows he’s no good

Chris Wideman is a field hockey player whose best value is in the dressing room. He’s the kind of veteran around whom youngsters gravitate, and he’s not afraid to give up his place in the line-up.

He’s there to plant trees, knowing he’ll never sit in their shade, as the Habs’ coach once said.

And Martin St-Louis is right. After all, you need guys like that in a field hockey club if you want to build a culture; you need veterans like that to surround the youngsters.

And even if not everyone believes in the importance of the concept of culture.

Anyway. All that to say that Wideman may be there, but everyone is aware that he’s not the best player on the planet. Some nights last season, it was… er…

Let’s call it nebulous.

Several people have asked to see Wideman leave recently. That said, I understand why Kent Hughes extended his contract to 2022: to have a guy who can allow the club to prioritize youth by being a safety net.

Remember that Wideman’s $762,500 contract will still be valid next year.

At the salary he earns, Wideman isn’t a drain on Kent Hughes’ payroll. The fact that he earns the minimum wage ($750K last year and $775K next year) means that, if need be, he can leave. #Ballottage

But what’s important to know is that even the main interested party knows full well that he earns minimum wage because he’s not the best defenseman on earth. That’s what he said, with a tinge of humor, on the Cam & Strick Podcast.

My wife gets messages on social media telling her that her husband sucks.

Do they think we don’t know I’m f***ing lame? I’ve been making minimum wage for 10 years. – Chris Wideman

Clearly, the man who moved to Russia after UberGate is aware that he’s not the most talented player, and he’s fully aware of his role and its importance.

I seem to understand better why he signed a two-year contract.

But at least Wideman is playing in a major field hockey market, and he’s clearly proud of his role in the club. It takes a lot of well-liked guys.

Whether the fans like him or not.

But he’s right: he’s never hit the jackpot. According to Cap Friendly, he’s made just over $5.3 million since the start of his career. Remember, he made his NHL debut in 2015-2016.

In 2018-2019, he earned $1 million in Ottawa, but never made more than that.

For the Habs, seeing him make little money is an advantage since he can be cut from the payroll (via ballot) at any time, making it simpler if the youngsters all perform at the same time.

After all, with positions contractually guaranteed to Mike Matheson, David Savard and Joel Edmundson (unless he’s traded, of course) and the youngsters growing up, making the club won’t be easy.

  • Kaiden Guhle
  • Jordan Harris
  • Arber Xhekaj
  • Justin Barron, who is working hard with Team Canada to demonstrate his skills.
  • Johnathan Kovacevic
  • Logan Mailloux
I could add Jayden Struble, but I see him starting in Laval.

The fact that Wideman is right-handed helps him because of the scarcity of the product in Montreal, but clearly, he knows he’s not an untouchable and is accountable for his performance. Now it’s up to him to deliver.


In bursts

– Interesting.

– He’s going to do it. Good timing, huh?

– Patrick Roy doesn’t underestimate the Mooseheads. [BPM Sports]

– They’ll have to stand up.

– Hello and good morning.

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