tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

A Deafening Silence From Pittsburgh

Several weeks ago Mario Lemieux blasted the NHL for not taking action about the head shots that have been prevalent in the league and has resulted in the best player in the game, Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney Crosby, being out since early January.  Yesterday, repeat offender and lack of respect, Matt Cooke deliberately elbowed a New York Rangers player in the head.  It wasn't a hockey play.  It wasn't a clean hit.  It was a deliberate elbow to the head with intent to injure.  By the way, Matt Cooke plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins.  The Pittsburgh Penguins who lead the league in penalties.  The Pittsburgh Penguins who continue to put up with the antics of Matt Cooke.  Curiously, I have heard nothing from Super Mario or Ray Shero, general manager of the Penguins.

If Lemieux and Shero wanted to send a message that something needs to be done to protect players like their own Sidney Crosby then here's what they should do:  Whatever, the NHL suspension is, tack on another 5 games.  They do this in the NFL why not in the NHL.  If they are serious, put up or shut up.

Now I'm sure this will not be appreciated by the hockey establishment.  Already today I'm reading on twitter hockey writers and analysts saying that its not right for Cooke to get suspended based upon past indiscretions since in this case the Ranger player continued to be in the game.  Are you kidding me???  Becuase the guy wasn't knocked out cold, Cooke should get only 6 games??  If the message is we are not going to tolerate this anymore then regardless of what happens to the other player, the offender should get hit hard.  10 games minimum regardless.  If we are going to base the penalty on what happens to the injured player, then Matt Cooke should have missed a lot of hockey as a result of the hit he put on Marc Savard which probably has ended Savard's career.

I do agree with a suggestion that Super Mario made which was to also fine the team if one of their players commits such an act.  Right away the establishment said, "that won't work.  what about the teams that are losing money how could they survive."  Well maybe the Islanders wouldn't dress all those goons if Mr. Wang was having to shell out some cash.

Please don't misunderstand me.  I love the hitting in the game.  I love fighting, I think its part of the game.  But I have no tolerance for the miscreants like Matt Cooke who are ending people's careers.  I loved hockey in the 70's and don't remember this sort of nonsense. 

Don Cherry is right on two points: Do away with the instigator rule and the NHLPA and the League need to look at the equipment that these guys are wearing.  Shoulder pads now look like football shoulder pads.  Elbow pads are weapons. 

I have to tell you that I'm sick and tired hearing about these commissions that the NHL has with Brendan Shanahan chairing them.  Who the hell is he???  His all-star nonsense was a joke and now he's going to meet with some others to examine the issue of head injuries in the NHL.  The same Brendan Shanahan who was on the committee to make the game more wide open after the lockout.  How did that work out since scoring is not up.

How about some common sense.  Do something about the equipment.  Do away with the instigator rule.  Nail an offender with a minimum 10 game suspension and fine his team.  The fact that Sid the Kid has been out half a season, the fact that Marc Savard may be done for good is a disgrace!!!  Wake up Mr. Bettman!!!