Dennis Wideman's journey in professional hockey began when he was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the eighth round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. However, it wasn't until the 2005-2006 season that he made his NHL debut with the St. Louis Blues. Wideman, a defenseman known for his offensive capabilities, quickly demonstrated his ability to contribute to the team's blue line.
After spending parts of two seasons with the Blues, Wideman was traded to the Boston Bruins in 2007. It was with the Bruins that he began to gain more recognition for his play. During the 2008-2009 season, Wideman achieved a career-high 50 points, showcasing his skill in both offensive play and defensive responsibilities. His performance helped the Bruins secure the top spot in the Eastern Conference that year.
In 2010, Wideman was traded to the Florida Panthers, where he continued to be a reliable presence on the ice. His tenure with the Panthers was relatively short, as he was traded to the Washington Capitals in February 2011. With the Capitals, Wideman continued to be an offensive threat from the blue line, contributing significantly to the team's power play unit.
Wideman's career took another turn in 2012 when he was traded to the Calgary Flames. He signed a five-year contract with the Flames, solidifying his role as a veteran leader on the team. During the 2014-2015 season, Wideman had one of his best performances, scoring 56 points and helping the Flames reach the playoffs for the first time in six years. His efforts were instrumental in Calgary's surprising run to the second round of the playoffs.
However, Wideman's career faced a significant challenge during the 2015-2016 season. In January 2016, he was involved in a controversial incident where he collided with a linesman during a game. The NHL initially suspended him for 20 games, but the suspension was later reduced to 10 games after an appeal. This incident marked a difficult period in Wideman's career, but he continued to play for the Flames until the end of the 2016-2017 season.
After his contract with the Flames ended, Wideman did not sign with another NHL team.
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