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Matt Cooke, sacrificial lamb

by s liam on Mar 22, 2011 4:33 AM EDT

Every sportswriter on the continent has taken their turn writing about Matt Cooke’s hit on Ryan McDonagh last Sunday during the Penguins–Rangers’ afternoon tilt. Universally, they have lambasted Cooke for the hit to some degree or another. Some have said that Cooke deserves his current suspension; others have said it was too lenient. Others have even gone as far as to suggest that the Penguins should voluntarily trade Cooke away or buy him out, given that he "public enemy number one" in the NHL, and a threat to player safety.

According to those pundits, the suspension (or better yet, elimination) of Matt Cooke from the NHL will make the League safer than the back seat of a Volvo station wagon. Opposing players will no longer be in danger and head shots and concussions will be a thing of the past. Crises solved!

If only it were that simple. We can hang Matt Cooke from the tallest tree, but that won’t be the magic bullet that saves the League’s players from injuries, intentional or otherwise.

Cooke not alone in dirty play

Matt Cooke committed a penalty last Sunday, and he deserved to be punished for it. That has happened. But to treat him as if he’s the cause of all headshots and dirty plays in hockey is wilfully ignorant. Cooke is not some bizarre outlier in the NHL. The dirty style of play Cooke is known for isn’t exclusive to him, or even his ilk: grinders and pests. It is conducted by all kinds of players, even elite players, without supplemental discipline being handed down.

Some examples from this season alone include Victor Hedman, John Tavares, Ryan Getzlaf, Alex Burrows and Gilbert Brule.

Maybe you think that Cooke only deserves his suspension because of his repeat offender status. But shouldn't even first-time offenders, no matter how important they are to drawing crowds to the game, have to answer for their on-ice actions?

An easy scapegoat

Matt Cooke must be feeling a lot like Tony Montana these days. During his disciplinary meeting with Commissioner Gary Bettman on Monday, I’m sure he was tempted to scream at the Commissioner, "You need people like me! You need people like me so you can point your finger and say, ‘That's the bad guy!’"

Because that’s what Matt Cooke is to the NHL: The Bad Guy. A convenient stooge to both personify and take the fall for everything wrong with this league. He’s just some third-line grinder that the League can safely make an example of and point to whenever they are accused of being "behind the times" on discipline, headshots and concussions. He’s no superstar. He’s not putting bums in seats. He’s just out there to kill penalties and play 15 minutes a night. He’s expendable. We can put responsibility for every safety problem the league faces on his shoulders and cynically desire that his head roll to take away the sins of this inherently dangerous game.

Cooke a valuable contributor to the Pens

And to everyone out there screaming for Cooke to be traded, bought out, permanently suspended or shot into the sun or whatever… calm yourselves. This team is in the business of winning, and the Penguins are a better team with Matt Cooke than without. He’s part of the NHL’s number one penalty kill. He draws penalties. He can skate. He can score. And, perhaps most importantly, he does it all at a bargain price. Really, after how much ink has been spilled on PensBurgh alone about the difficulties we face with the salary cap, do you want this team to spend more on wingers (or worse, on a buyout)?

Make no mistake: Matt Cooke deserved to be suspended for hitting Ryan McDonagh— his hit to the head was dangerous.

Further, he deserved to be criticized by his general manager, coach and teammates for that hit — the Pittsburgh Penguins organization has taken a stance against such behaviour that must be consistently upheld.

But most importantly, he deserves to play for the Pittsburgh Penguins after his suspension, and for the remainder of his contract. After all he has done for this team and its success since coming here in 2008, we at least owe him another chance. He’s earned it.

The content expressed in fanposts does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the staff here at Pensburgh.com. FanPosts are opinions expressed by fans of various teams throughout the league but may be more Pittsburgh-centric for obvious reasons.

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Right on, across the board. Level-headed thinking.

by PittRiverman on Mar 22, 2011 9:38 AM EDT reply actions

Well put. Cooke is a dirty player, but almost all of the hockey media thinks the rest of the NHL is composed of choir boys.

Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com

by GoPens! on Mar 22, 2011 10:20 AM EDT reply actions

agreed

Cooke is learning the consequences of a career of reckless play. Well, he’s learning the consequences of reckless play for a team that’s not part of the Original Six or east of I-95.

I’d love to believe the talking heads these days when they say the NHL is now serious about head hits and player safety, but at this point it’s sort of like having a friend with a drug problem. You want to believe that he’s serious about turning his life around and quitting this time, but after you hear it so many times you can’t believe him anymore. Remember, Cooke has now been suspended for (at minumum) 18 games this season, for two hits that, in my opinion, were adequately punished by the on-ice penalties he received – yet there was no discipline for the Savard hit, which was far more dangerous and reckless. Aside from this inconsistency, the league still shows no inclination to suspend star players for far more dangerous hits. To use an obvious example, Chara could’ve killed Pacoretty a few weeks ago, on a hit far more reckless than anything I’ve seen from Cooke this season, yet got no discipline. And the next time Ovechkin injures someone with a dirty hit, I don’t expect he’ll get anything but Pierre Maguire’s praise for “being a predator”.

The league has zero credibility on this subject, and having followed it for so many years I just can’t believe that this “new, tough standard of discipline” isn’t going to be forgotten after enough time goes by.

P is for Latrobe.

by holiday park on Mar 22, 2011 12:19 PM EDT reply actions

I just knew from the time Cooke made the hit, he would become the scapegoat for the NHL. The NHL needs to prove their serious about the head shots by punishing others (like you mentioned) just as harshly as Cooke. The one that is still baffling me is Gilles. The guy played one game got suspended for 9 and then the next shift he’s back he does the same thing. What makes it worse is he targeted the head both times. Granted Cooke is a repeat offender, I think Gilles should have gotten suspended for the rest of the season as well.

by StripesForLife on Mar 22, 2011 1:04 PM EDT reply actions

You are totally right about Gillies but it is pretty easy to argue the point that Cooke received a harsher punishment because it was right after the GM meetings and this was the perfect way to send a message. The timing couldn’t have been better for the NHL.

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"He loves hockey. He has soul." Mike Babcock about Sidney Crosby :)
Get better soon Sid...

by mummabear87 on Mar 22, 2011 1:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Your point of the timing is critical to this discussion

IMO both of Gillies suspensions were in the ballpark of being correct, as well as Cooke’s. We can argue all day about the in-season rule change, but it is what it is and I believe they did it first and foremost for the players safety. The game is never going back to “college” hockey, where that sort of thing is not tolerated at all because some of the allure/marketing of the game is the physicality of it. There will never be a suspension based on someone getting a concussion as a result of a fight, unless the player is defenseless, as Tangredi was. Gillies got nine because of his act from the runway as much as the beating itself. Ten was appropriate based on the hit that was delivered and the fact that it was on the heels of the first incident. If the plays were reversed, Gillies probably gets four games for the Clutterback play and probably more than the nine for Tangredi incident. The NHL is willing to give a guy who doesn’t have a history the benefit of the doubt (Chara), but will penalize for repeat offenders, as it should be, regardless of talent. If it was Sean Avery that hit McDonough, I believe he would have gotten the same suspension based on his history. As Penguins fans, we are taking the Cooke incident a bit personal, but whoever got hit first was definitely going to get hit. In response to the drug problem analogy, I would put it a different way. Since these hits are in theory “assault on ice”, a first timer gets a slap on the wrist, 2nd time is a misdemeanor, and the third time is a felony logic is applicable. It’s up to the league to stay consistent with it, and that is a big if. The slate was wiped clean, Cooke received an appropriate punishment and hopefully, all ensuing offenses are equally treated.

by 18-19-21 lineofthecentury on Mar 22, 2011 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes

All I’m saying is if a player would get suspended for something. And then come back after there suspension and do the same exact thing, what have they learned. IMO they should be suspended for the rest of the season, regardless of how many games are left, because they didn’t learn the first time.

by StripesForLife on Mar 22, 2011 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes I agree. Had Cooke done this a week ago (before the meetings, and to that end, before Shero and Lemieux commented on removing headshots) he was probably looking at a 6 or 7 game suspension.

by StripesForLife on Mar 22, 2011 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Great post

I felt that Cooke could should pay a heavy price this time and this punishment is warranted. He’s said all the right things afterwards, it’s now up to him to cash the cheque that his mouth has written. Cooke has showed himself to be a good man off the ice and this coupled with the fact that he’s a decent NHL player suggests to me that there is hope of him finally learning his lesson, if he doesn’t then surely there are no more ‘2nd chances’. What remains to be seen is whether the league sticks with this tougher discipline, lets hope so. Cookie you’re welcome back on the team AFAIAC, just please don’t screw it up.

Don't write cheques with your mouth that your body can't cash

by Gazelle68 on Mar 22, 2011 5:18 PM EDT reply actions

Well written and with excellent points and logic. Cool-headed and analytical. My kind of assessment. Thanks for taking the time to write this. I agree completely, and also with those who noted the timing of the suspension. I agree a suspension was warranted and have no difficulty with the length of that suspension. I will have more faith in the league and its commitment to changing the game by ridding it of hits to the heads if they continue with discipline along this line and not just for Matt Cooke. I have to say, I don’t have a lot of faith that this will occur, but I’ll give the benefit of the doubt. As for Matt Cooke, I would be pleased to see him back on the team. Despite his penchant for stepping beyond that edge he plays on too frequently, I see the value he brings to the team every game and look forward to seeing that Cookie – minus the head shots.

by SuMac on Mar 22, 2011 9:31 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

He's had his chance.

A guy who has continuously been warned about these cheap hits is not a scapegoat nor a sacrificial lamb. Unless those players that you mentioned have have multiple suspensions like Cooke then I could see your comparisons, but those players haven’t. He has repeatedly crossed the line over and over again. How many chances are you going to give this guy? Oh this time he is finally going to change? Okay. Sure. The team has told him to stop and he blatantly ignored Bylsma, Shero, and Lemieux. His time in Pittsburgh has worn out its welcome. He is an excellent third liner and a valuable player to the Pens but his actions continue to hurt the team. Time to get rid of him next season.

Proud fan of Pittsburgh's professional sports teams and the Pirates too.

by Black&GoldTrain on Mar 22, 2011 10:22 PM EDT reply actions

Outstanding Post

thanks for taking the time to write this, s liam.
it was exceedingly well done
rec’d.

by Diomedes7 on Mar 23, 2011 1:20 AM EDT reply actions

That nails it!

Wouldn’t have said better myself…
Relase the Cookie!

by Brazilian Penguin on Mar 23, 2011 2:01 AM EDT reply actions

Excellent read in all points. I for one appreciate what Mr. Cooke does for the team, I believe he loves Pittsburgh and the team and I feel he will do right by Mr. Lemeuix, Mr. Shero, Mr.. Bylsma and all his teammates. He is a good man off the ice and I believe he will continue to play, and really try to change so as not to disappoint all these people who have been trying to help him – including the Pittsburgh fans.

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Katie300

by katie300 on Mar 23, 2011 11:42 AM EDT reply actions

I agree to most of what you've said.

Unfortunately, Cooke is in the wrong place at the right time.

He has himself to blame for being there, but the NHL should never have let it get this far.

Their inconsistency and top-down failure to get ahead of rule changes; mete out supplemental discipline consistently; and show serious message-sending with fines/ suspensions has brought this issue to an unfortunate, high-profile conclusion.

The Cooke-Savard incident was the unfortunate result of a seeming gap in the rules. That week, the Richards-Booth incident met the same gap, but was dealt with differently. In the off-season, Rule 48 was implemented to address those issues.

Yet, somehow, the rules were so narrowly defined and/ or inconsistently adjudicated that the message has not been clear across the league.

More to the point, the league ought to have addressed the level of headshot-violence in the NHL after the Isles-Pens scrap several weeks ago, and in particular, the role of Gillies’ hit on Tancredi. The day he returned, Gillies did it again. Martin’s retaliatory cheap shot on Talbot was met with a suspension. But, it doesn’t help that both Gillies and Haley were basically brought in as head-hunters, yet Haley wasn’t suspended despite his 2+ fights that night.

The league dropped the ball then and there. The league should Gary Bettman and Colin Campbell! But something tells me they won’t do that.

by Alan Wright on Mar 23, 2011 12:10 PM EDT reply actions

The league should suspend Gary Bettman and Colin Campbell!

by Alan Wright on Mar 23, 2011 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Clarificatory note to show I'm a good sport and have no ill intent.

My original comments on the Pens-Isles dust-up are here. They are largely consistent with what I’ve said now.

On the other hand, my comments about Cooke in the few days or so have grown much stronger and more critical. At the time of the Pens-Isles dust-up, I think I said that Cooke’s dirty play could be settled on the ice, etc. Well, I guess I have radicalized in some respect on that point. That said, I do see that his behavior is generally still during play for a 50/50 puck and he is a relevant member of the NHL, unlike Gillies, who is simply a goon.

For what it’s worth, I do hope Cooke can reform and redeem himself.

by Alan Wright on Mar 23, 2011 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions

I apologize. Somehow I didn’t see this post until now. Excellent and very level headed as well. A rec for sure.

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by AllieLXXXVII on Mar 23, 2011 6:20 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I fall in this same boat

Nice post s liam, I agree with your statements 100%

There's an 87% chance this post is sarcasm...

by Stros Bro on Mar 24, 2011 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions

If only it were that simple. We can hang Matt Cooke from the tallest tree, but that won’t be the magic bullet that saves the League’s players from injuries, intentional or otherwise.

I would totally agree. Unfortunately, some other NHL player will hit an opponent in the head pretty soon. It will cause damage, and the offender will not get a 14-17 game suspension.

We all know that Cooke deserves any action he gets, he’s a guy that toes the line and doesn’t have enough respect. History proves that, he has way too much dirt on him.

But it’s just as clear the NHL doesn’t enforce hits to the head the same (Chara, Heatley, Marchand, Martin, Gillies, etc), they only care who does it. Cooke is public enemy #1 (for good reason) but they don’t enforce the same standards across the board, which is no surprise for anyone that’s seen the NHL’s discipline.

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by Hooks Orpik on Mar 23, 2011 11:59 PM EDT reply actions

A new era

Perhaps this will be the beginning of a new standard?
Not that the next headshot will get 14-17 games—including a FULL round of the playoffs—but something with actual teeth? Something consistent w/ the Cooke suspension, albeit lesser if the culprit isn’t a repeat-repeat offender?

by Diomedes7 on Mar 24, 2011 8:26 AM EDT up reply actions