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It’s no surprise that Wideman’s name has been mentioned in the rumour mill, although some are skeptical that the Flames will be able to find a suitor for the veteran and what’s left on the final year of a contract that comes with an annual salary cap hit of US$5.25 million but pays $6 million in real dough this season.

Wideman played a significant role in Calgary’s unexpected playoff run in 2015, but as one of the fastest sports on the planet gets faster and faster, his lack of foot-speed could scare off opposing general managers who are looking to add blueline depth on deadline day.

Others could be worried about his public image after his lengthy suspension — and well-publicized appeal process — for a collision with linesman Don Henderson last season.

“Anytime you’re at this point of the year and you’re not playing and you’re a UFA, you know your name is going to be out there,” Wideman said. “At least, you hope it is, that’s for sure. If it’s not out there, then that’s a bad sign.

“It comes with the territory.”

Wideman has three goals, 13 assists and a minus-5 rating in 52 appearances so far this season.

He was deployed on Calgary’s second defence pair for most of this winter, but after Flames GM Brad Treliving signed Matt Bartkowski last week and then traded for Michael Stone a few days later, No. 6 currently finds himself slotted as the seventh defenceman.

He was a healthy scratch in Tuesday’s overtime triumph in Nashville and again Thursday against the Lightning.

“You just have to be ready and practise well, practise hard and keep yourself ready,” Wideman said after an extended morning skate at Amalie Arena. “And if you get your chance, you have to make sure that they don’t have an opportunity to take you out.

“I just want to help this team as much as I can, for when I’m here, so I just have to be ready to play,” he added. “And if it’s somewhere else, then I’ll cross that bridge when it gets there … But my concentration right now is helping the Flames make the playoffs.”

e-mail: wgilbertson@postmedia.com

On Twitter: @WesGilbertson