Calgary Flames' defenceman Dennis Wideman will make his case in New York on Wednesday, appealing to the league to ease up on his 20-game suspension for cross-checking a linesman.

Wideman was suspended following an incident that took place during a game against Nashville on January 27.

He was skating towards the bench, and cross-checked linesman Don Henderson on the way.

Henderson was sent to hospital with a concussion and hasn't returned to work since that time.

Wideman, 32, was slapped with a 20-game suspension last week which, if upheld, will end up with the player forfeiting about US$564,516 in salary to the players' emergency assistance fund.

His post-game explanation was he was in pain and was trying to get off the ice, adding that he couldn't avoid Henderson.

"Throughout my career and I've been around for a few years, I think I've treated every official with the utmost respect and I would never intentionally try to hit a linesman or a ref or anything like that," Wideman said.

If the suspension is upheld on Wednesday, the NHLPA may end up attempting to go to a third party arbitrator.

Wideman isn't the only Flame in hot water on Wednesday. Prior to Tuesday's game against Toronto, coach Bob Hartley decided to bench the team's top scorers.

Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan, and Lance Bouma were all kept out of the line up for 'disciplinary reasons'.

He wouldn't say much else, but all three players were spotted arriving late for practice on Monday.

Hartley told reporters that the issue has been dealt with and won't be an issue going forward.

"I've got grounded by my parents quite a few times. Trust me, so it's part of the game. We deal with those situations like everyone working in a plant, working in offices. It's not always good days," he said.

Despite the benching, the Flames did come out of the game victorious, beating the Leafs 4-3.

(With files from the Canadian Press)