Pensburgh wrapup: Matt Cooke
by GoPens! on Jun 21, 2010 6:00 AM EDT
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Print"C is for cookie, it's good enough for me; oh cookie cookie cookie starts with C." ~ Sesame Street's Cookie Monster
Season Stats: 79 gp, 15g, 15a, 30p, +17, 106 PIMs
Playoff Stats: 13gp, 4g, 2a, 6p, -4, 22 PIMs
Month-by-month Pensburgh grades:
October: B+
November: B+
December: C
January: B+
February: B-
March: B-
Playoffs: B+
Contract Status: Unrestricted free agent this summer; previous cap hit of $1.2 million dollars.
Interesting Stat: Matt Cooke's 4.7 defensive GVT was second among all Penguins this year.
The Good: Matt Cooke performed above expectations this year. He was the team leader in adjusted +/- and was tied for second in GAON/60 at 2.16. He also was tied for fourth in penalties drawn/60, providing evidence of his ability to be one of the better pests in the NHL. On top of all of this, he provided some decent offense for the Pens, as his points/60 was 8th on the team. And his physicality was present throughout the season, as he finished third among Penguins forwards with 183 hits.
The not-so-good: Cooke did not have a great performance while on the penalty kill. His adjusted 4-on-5 +/- was the worst on the team at -2.76, and he was playing against weaker competition than both Jordan Staal and Max Talbot. He was also was a net negative in the penalty department, as he took more penalties than he drew and put his team down a man quite often.
Final Verdict: Matt Cooke is a player that a lot of teams would like to have. He gets under player's skins and he's a solid two-way forward at a nice price. But with a thin free agent market and a very productive year under his belt, how many suitors will Cooke attract this off season? The Pens would surely do themselves a favor by finding a way to bring him back, but overpaying for him with our cap situation could be a big mistake.
Question and Discussion: Will Cooke maintain his level of performance next year? Does he have the tools to be a top-six forward on the Penguins?
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I’ve spent a lot of time over the last couple of weeks reading everything I could find about free agents, and one conclu sion I’ve come to is that there are an incredible number of bad contracts out there, you really have to appreciate the job Shero has done. Almost all Pens fans would like Cooke (and Gonchar) back, but it has to be done only if reasonable.
For Cooke, I think the reasonable, fair contract is 2 years at $1.8M, or if Shero can bring himself to go longer, then 3 years at $1.5M each. I suspect Cooke will be offered 3 years at $2M by someone else, so its quite possible he’ll be gone. While this is generally a week FA class, there are a number of 3rd lne LWs that can be signed for $1.5M and produce similiarly to Cooke, and actually his spot is the perfect place for Tangradi (rather than on the 1st or 2nd line).
i think that’s pretty accurate on $s. I think the Pens might go a 3rd year at 1.8—although that would a significant departure for Shero (so perhaps not)—and it still may not be enough. i also agree that tangradi figures into the equation. the fact that Cooke is a 3rd liner, albeit a damn good one, cuts against his bargaining position w/ the Pens — one of the other 29 teams is therefore likely to offer him more money
Tangradi is a top 6 guy, not a 3rd liner. He’s better off playing top 6 for the baby pens than working his way up from a shutdown role in the NHL.
Regardless of when he comes up, it’s unlikely he’ll be top 6 full time right away. It happens occasionally, but the more likely story is that he’ll see some top 6 time, but have to work his way up their. The big question mark for a guy like Tangradi is about how quickly he can get himself into that role and keep it.
Go, Shero, Go!!! And also Brian Burke.
Yeah, tough to imagine Tangradi (or anyone really) jumping into a Top 6 role from the minors. Better to let him build up and earn his ice-time and not put the pressure of him to be in a Top 6 contributing role.
by Hooks Orpik on Jun 21, 2010 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions
Dude, why did you ditch the classic Talbot ssshhhhh avatar for this shot of Fleury from high school?
The Pens will be back.
by PensAreYourDaddy on Jun 21, 2010 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions
He’s big time now. Fancy headshots are in order.
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i smiled.
STAAL FOR SELKE. SIDNEY FOR EVERY OTHER ONE OR JUST THE HART AND THE MESSIER LEADERSHIP AWARD. THAT IS ACCEPTABLE.
by katielynn906 on Jun 21, 2010 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Who is this!?!
One Who Lives And Breathes All Things Penguins
by PensFanInDenver on Jun 22, 2010 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions
Got to have a Cooke in our kitchen, right?
The Pens will be back.
by PensAreYourDaddy on Jun 21, 2010 9:54 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
third line love!
STAAL FOR SELKE. SIDNEY FOR EVERY OTHER ONE OR JUST THE HART AND THE MESSIER LEADERSHIP AWARD. THAT IS ACCEPTABLE.
by katielynn906 on Jun 21, 2010 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions
every one of PAYD’s collages are pretty cool.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
True, but I was saying the back shot of Cooke, Kennedy and Staal is really cool.
Author at Pensburgh.com
Thanks, Frank.
The Pens will be back.
by PensAreYourDaddy on Jun 21, 2010 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions
oh, photo guru, i uploaded some of my favorite pictures from the games i went to: http://picasaweb.google.com/112137099696224946119/PensPicATures#
curious to hear whatcha think.
STAAL FOR SELKE. SIDNEY FOR EVERY OTHER ONE OR JUST THE HART AND THE MESSIER LEADERSHIP AWARD. THAT IS ACCEPTABLE.
by katielynn906 on Jun 22, 2010 1:01 AM EDT up reply actions
nice work, katie!
You’ve got some really high-quality shots in there. I love the look on Tanger’s face when he’s doing the splits. I especially like the pics from the Carolina game. Further proof that Matt Cooke has more fun digging pucks out of the net during warm-ups than any other player in the league.
The Pens will be back.
by PensAreYourDaddy on Jun 22, 2010 8:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Cooke is a keeper: Shero MUST resign him. Period.
He brings to much to the table. I like his grit, his toughness, he never quits: he always shows up for each and every game.
A two-year deal worth 1.8 million per year works for me.
One Who Lives And Breathes All Things Penguins
by PensFanInDenver on Jun 21, 2010 10:29 AM EDT reply actions
Cooke is a keeper: Shero MUST resign him. Period.
A two-year deal worth 1.8 million per year works for me.
I won’t be surprised if Shero can’t get him at that price. Cooke had a career year for a bottom six guy, and some GM with a lot of room would love to have Cooke on his team for $2 million or more. I personally don’t think he’s worth more than $1.5 million, as his PDO indicates that he’s in line for a drop off in production next year. I would hope Shero doesn’t break the bank trying to bring Cooke back.
Author at Pensburgh.com
I agree with you: I don’t want to see Shero break the bank signing either of them, but I give the nod to Cooke. Besides, he is a few years younger then Gonch and I believe we can get more out of him.
One Who Lives And Breathes All Things Penguins
by PensFanInDenver on Jun 21, 2010 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I personally would rather see Shero resign Cooke then Gonchar
One Who Lives And Breathes All Things Penguins
by PensFanInDenver on Jun 21, 2010 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions
You know my feelings for Cooke.
But putting that aside, he had a great playoff, but he may have priced himself out of Pittsburgh. It has crossed my mind of the Bruins even signing him this offseason. (I changed my mind quickly)
If you can keep him, do it.
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by bestbostonsports on Jun 21, 2010 10:48 AM EDT reply actions
Cooke’s a good player, but I certainly don’t want the Stars to sign him. I don’t trust him because he’s toed the line a little too much for my taste. He’s a good fit in Pitt and I think that it would be a wise decision to resign him, but for no more than $2 million a year.
Here's to all us girls who love hockey...and the men who play it.
by Brad_Richards_Rocks on Jun 21, 2010 11:57 AM EDT reply actions
He’s not been anymore reckless than other pests in the league, or even Mike Richards (the Booth hit) or Ovechkin (the Campbell hit, among others). If Cooke’s actions have toed the line a bit close, than a pest or instigator type of guy probably isn’t in your forward model.
Author at Pensburgh.com
Considering he’s a Stars fan, I don’t blame him for such a view after the Avery fiasco.
by SlayerGhaleon on Jun 21, 2010 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Let’s be clear, though: Regardless of what you think of him on the ice, Cooke is a bajillion times better than Avery off the ice.
Go, Shero, Go!!! And also Brian Burke.
by PopRocks on Jun 21, 2010 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Bingo!
One Who Lives And Breathes All Things Penguins
by PensFanInDenver on Jun 21, 2010 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NLuHp-6lOQ&feature=related
seriously.
STAAL FOR SELKE. SIDNEY FOR EVERY OTHER ONE OR JUST THE HART AND THE MESSIER LEADERSHIP AWARD. THAT IS ACCEPTABLE.
by katielynn906 on Jun 21, 2010 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions
like, if you don’t find this adorable, you probably have no soul.
STAAL FOR SELKE. SIDNEY FOR EVERY OTHER ONE OR JUST THE HART AND THE MESSIER LEADERSHIP AWARD. THAT IS ACCEPTABLE.
by katielynn906 on Jun 21, 2010 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Excellent video. After the game, as the celebration was getting started, a woman came down the steps with that young boy in her arms (not sure if she was Matt’s wife or a family friend?). She tried to get close to the bench area but she was stopped by security. She was frantically trying to explain that she had Cooke’s son, but I don’t think the guard was understanding her. So a few of us Pens fans nearby starting yelling to get Matt’s attention and when he saw what was going on he came over like a pit bull. I really feared for the security guy’s safety if he didn’t let her go down to him at that point, which fortunately he did.
I really hope that we can keep him in Pittsburgh at terms that are satisfying to both sides. I realize he has played well and set himself up for a nice payday, but I also think that his stock will remain higher playing with Staal than it will be playing with some of the other 3rd line centers in the league.
The Pens will be back.
by PensAreYourDaddy on Jun 21, 2010 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions
We have found ourselves in some interesting spots the last couple of years. The envy is just a bonus ;-)
The Pens will be back.
by PensAreYourDaddy on Jun 21, 2010 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I would like Cooke to learn to not take so many stupid penalties. He must lead the team in the “Ahhhhhhh WTF was he thinking” catagory. That said he has great skills for a guy who is known more as an agitator.
Stupid Penalities
Gonchar has taken way too many stupid penalities this past year, too,
One Who Lives And Breathes All Things Penguins
by PensFanInDenver on Jun 21, 2010 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Malkin led the team this year in penalties taken per 60 min. Cooke’s role on the team causes more penalties to be called against him, while Malkin has no similar excuse.
Author at Pensburgh.com
I think everyone except Datsyuk could be smarter when taking penalties. If we want Cooke to be the agitator that he is, we’ll have to accept that he is going to be near the top of the team in PIM.
Author at Pensburgh.com
Exactly. Datsyuk rarely takes penalities. he is a very disciplined player, for sure.
One Who Lives And Breathes All Things Penguins
by PensFanInDenver on Jun 21, 2010 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Malkin does have an excuse -
He’s a star, so he’s a primary target for other teams to harass, legally or otherwise. I agree he needs to be more disciplined, but I do understand where he’s coming from when he retalitiates to someone who’s been whacking him all game.
"90% of the game is physical. The other half is mental." - Yogi Berra
I think that part of being a player of Malkin’s caliber means that you won’t overreact and take stupid penalties, even if the other team is pestering you.
Author at Pensburgh.com
That will come with age and maturation. Look at Mario. He didn’t always respond well to the abuse. He had some early seasons of 92 and 100 PIMs.
The Pens will be back.
by PensAreYourDaddy on Jun 21, 2010 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions
matt cooke gets called for being matt cooke. so…
STAAL FOR SELKE. SIDNEY FOR EVERY OTHER ONE OR JUST THE HART AND THE MESSIER LEADERSHIP AWARD. THAT IS ACCEPTABLE.
by katielynn906 on Jun 21, 2010 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions
It’ll be interesting to see what the Pens offer Cooke over the offseason. I thoroughly believe though that he’s going to strike a big payday elsewhere.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
Think Cookies!
Kind of like when we all used to “Think Snow” before weekend trips to Seven Springs.
Research at Princeton, and other universities, is confirming the power of consciousness to effect actions in the physical realm.
So…if we all “Think Cookies” perhaps he and Mr. Shero will be able to reach an agreement.
by Mario Lemieux #66 on Jun 21, 2010 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I love it!! Cookies!!! I’m thinking intense
by katie300 on Jun 21, 2010 9:12 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
C is for Cookie!
One Who Lives And Breathes All Things Penguins
by PensFanInDenver on Jun 21, 2010 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Excellent!
In Shero We Trust!!!
The Pens will be back.
by PensAreYourDaddy on Jun 22, 2010 8:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Best news of the morning: Cooke is resinged to 3-year deal!
Fantastic!
One Who Lives And Breathes All Things Penguins
by PensFanInDenver on Jun 22, 2010 10:07 AM EDT reply actions
ESPN's saying
3 years at 1.8 mil per year. Not too shabby.
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