Lawyers for Dennis Wideman, Don Henderson and the Calgary Flames squared off in court on Tuesday almost two years after the Calgary Flames defenceman knocked the linesman down during a game against Nashville at the Saddledome.

Henderson says he hasn’t been able to work since that day and he is suing Wideman and the Flames for $10.25 million.

The NHL is intervening in the situation and says the matter should be dealt with by the league and not by a judge.

The league says that Henderson is an official and Wideman is a player and as part of their employment they agree that any dispute is handled by league arbitrators.

Wideman cross-checked Henderson while returning to the bench after he was hit by Mikka Salomaki during a game on January 27, 2016.

Wideman claims he was disoriented from the hit and that the contact with Henderson was unintentional.

In the claim, Henderson alleges Wideman 'violently' struck him from behind without warning, pushing him to the ice and referred to the hit as an 'attack.'

He claims he suffered injuries to his head, neck, shoulder, back, arm, hand and right knee and that he has required psychological counselling in addition to medical treatment.

On Tuesday, Randall Block, the lawyer for the Calgary Flames told the court that the leagues constitution trumps all and that, "there can be no legitimate argument of its invalidity.”

Henderson's lawyer, Norman Machida, says his client was unaware that arbitration was his only option.

Machida says that it wouldn't apply anyway because it, ‘does not affect the terms of employment of Mr. Wideman. It’s a dispute between a player and an official.’  He went on to say that ‘It is an assault and battery on Mr. Henderson.’

Dominic Venturo, Wideman’s lawyer, briefly addressed the court and said they want to go to arbitration because all sides agree it’s a quicker process and that his client would like the matter resolved as quickly as possible.

He also said that Wideman would like to resume his NHL career and that he thinks the matter is preventing that.

Wideman was not re-signed by the Flames and is now coaching in Kitchener.

Willie deWit, a former athlete and the judge in the case, has reserved his decision.

(With files from Chris Epp)