Matt Cooke Suspended For Four Games: Power Ranking The NHL's 10 Dirtiest Hitters

On Wednesday afternoon, the NHL announced that Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Matt Cooke would be suspended for four games.  This time, the offense was checking Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Fedor Tyutin from behind.  It was another chapter in Cooke's history of being considered one of the dirtiest players in the NHL.

This is not the first time Cooke has been called out for his physical style of play.  After all, he is the man responsible for Bruins center Marc Savard being unable to play most of this season.

Still, the hard hits from players like Cooke are one of the main reasons people love hockey so much.  They are a part of the game and only contribute to a rivalry that may exist between two teams.  Out of all the hard hitters, who is the dirtiest?

This is the power ranking of the 10 dirtiest hitters in the NHL today.

No. 10: Derek Boogaard, LW

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UNIONDALE, NY - DECEMBER 02: Derek Boogaard #94 of the New York Rangers skates against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on December 2, 2010 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

People look at Derek Boogaard and are shocked that he is a left wing.  The man stands 6'7" and weighs 265 pounds.  That's not a hockey player.  That's someone who should be a heavyweight contender in the UFC!

Still, Boogaard is considered one of the premier enforcers in the NHL today.  His skills on the forecheck are so well respected, Rangers general manager Glen Sather signed him to a four-year contract worth $6.5 million.

He has missed most of this season with a concussion, but the one known as "The Boogeyman" has made the most of his time on the ice.  Never one to back down from a challenge, Boogaard makes life on the ice miserable for the opposition, whether it's in chasing the puck or staring opponents down in a fight.  Look for him to make his return soon.

No. 9: Mike Rupp, C/LW

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NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 20: Michael Rupp #17 of the Pittsburgh Penguins waits for a faceoff during an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on January 20, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

Despite not being a top goal-scoring forward, Mike Rupp has been a valuable asset on all of the teams he has played for.  He may not attack the net with the same ferocity as some of his teammates, but he creates scoring opportunities with his hard hits on opposing players.

Currently, Rupp only has 89 penalty minutes.  That's not even in the top 10 in the NHL.  Still, his work on the forecheck is a key reason as to why the Pittsburgh Penguins have done so well this season.  The team may be a bit shorthanded without Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, but they still have hope so long as Rupp keeps doing what he does best.

No. 8: Sean Avery, LW

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NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 25: Sean Avery #16 of the New York Rangers reacts after colliding with Tomas Vokoun #29 of the Florida Panthers during the second period at Madison Square Garden on January 25, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/

Honestly, how can there be a ranking of the NHL's dirtiest that doesn't mention Sean Avery?  Everywhere he's played, he has managed to make enemies.

Avery is not a big fellow, only 5'10" and 195 pounds, but he consistently plays his hardest every game.  As a member of Rangers coach John Tortorella's checking line, he can be found racing after opposing skaters and planting them face first into the boards.  This style of play has racked up 156 penalty minutes, second in the NHL.

Besides his hard hitting, Avery is one of the top pests in the NHL.  He has no qualms about whacking someone across the legs with his stick.  If it means helping the team win, he'll do it.  He may be dirty, but he's a true team player.

No. 7: Scott Hartnell, RW

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 03: Patric Hornqvist #27 of the Nashville Predators is checked into the boards by Scott Hartnell #19 of the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period of an NHL hockey game at the Wells Fargo Center on February 3, 2011 in Phi

For over 30 years, the Philadelphia Flyers have been considered one of the dirtiest teams in NHL history.  Today, right wing Scott Hartnell furthers that tradition.

While he can also score goals fairly well, Hartnell's role on the team is primarily as a defensive forward.  This skill is exhibited through his hard hits on opposing players night after night, game after game.

Come playoff time, we can expect Hartnell to be an even more intimidating player as he is sure to grow out both his hair and his beard.  That's just a scary image right there, even for this slideshow.  His penalty minute total is now at 103, so we can expect that to be even higher at season's end.

No. 6: Brandon Prust, LW

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NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 11: Brandon Prust #8 of the New York Rangers skates against the Montreal Canadiens on January 11, 2011 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Montreal defeated the Rangers 2-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Brandon Prust, like his teammate Sean Avery, has a reputation as one of the NHL's top pests.  He has 13 fighting majors on the season, which account for 65 of his 121 penalty minutes.

Yet, Prust is more than just a brawler on defense.  He is never one to shy away from giving an opposing player a board sandwich, or to use his stick to prevent a scoring opportunity.

Plus, he he's a valued member of the team's checking line.  Prust is a tough individual who plays an even tougher game on the ice.  Look for him to continue his hard-hitting ways as the New York Rangers fight to stay in the playoff race.

No. 5: P.K. Subban, D

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MONTREAL, CANADA - FEBRUARY 2: P.K. Subban #76 of the Montreal Canadiens skates with the puck during the NHL game against the Florida Panthers at the Bell Centre on February 2, 2011 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Canadiens defeated the Panthers 3-2.

It is players like P.K. Subban who make opposing teams hate to face the Montreal Canadiens.  Ever since becoming a full-time player this season, Subban has established himself as a dirty hitter opposing players hate to face.

He is small for a defenseman at 6'0" and 212 pounds and his penalty minutes are at a modest 67, but Subban has already made his mark in the league despite only being 21-years old.  His cocky attitude and aggressive hitting has irked many of the veteran players, specifically Flyers captain Mike Richards.

"He's a guy that comes in the league and hasn't earned respect," Richards said in a radio interview back in November.  "I'm not saying that I'm going to do it, but something might happen to him if he continues to be that cocky."

With Subban becoming more valuable to his team day after day, perhaps it's time to start giving him some respect.

No. 4: Zenon Konopka, C

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UNIONDALE, NY - JANUARY 11: Zenon Konopka #28 of the New York Islanders skates during an NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at the Nassau Coliseum on January 11, 2011 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

These days, Islanders fans don't have much to cheer about.  Yet Konopka provides something of a bright spot in his consistent hard hitting.

Among teammates, Konopka is known as "Supergoon."  For those who have watched him play, it is understandable as to why he has that moniker.

Last season, Konopka led the NHL in penalty minutes with 265.  This season, he still holds the lead with 181.  On pace to surpass his total from 2009, look for Konopka to stop being called "Supergoon" and perhaps be promoted to "Ubergoon."

No. 3: Colton Orr, RW

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 13: Colton Orr #28 of the Toronto Maple Leafs warms up before the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on January 13, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Maple Leafs 5-1. (Photo by Christian Pe

Throughout his entire career, Colton Orr has been an enforcer.  A right wing, he spends less time attacking the net and more on the forecheck.  Game by game, he will chase opposing players going after the puck and check them hard into the boards.

He has served that role well this season on a young Toronto Maple Leafs squad, accumulating 128 penalty minutes.  Look for him to continue his hard hitting ways throughout his career.

No. 2: Matt Cooke, LW

Now it's time to talk about the man who inspired this slideshow.  Matt Cooke isn't just a hard hitter, but he's also one of the NHL's top pests.  Each game, he swarms opposing skaters and makes it difficult for them to score.

He checks hard, plays defense and just makes life difficult for the opposition.  On top of that, he is possibly the most hated man among the city of Boston's hockey fans.

Last March, in a game against the Boston Bruins, Cooke delivered a hard check on Bruins captain Marc Savard.  The hit resulted in Savard receiving a blow to the head and he suffered a concussion that forced him to miss two months.  Effects of that hit are still lingering as Savard missed most of this season. If he suffers another concussion, he will be shut down for the remainder of the 2010-2011 campaign.

Cooke's actions seem to have finally caught up with him given his upcoming four-game suspension, but don't think that will stop him from playing dirty ever again.

No. 1: Alexander Ovechkin, LW

On paper, Alexander Ovechkin's stats are not indicative of a dirty player.  The man is the best shooter in the NHL and plays great defense to go with strong offense.  Still, Ovechkin makes the top spot on this list because he has become the master of making dirty hits look clean.

Even though his hits may appear "clean," Ovechkin hits harder than any player in the NHL that I've seen.  It's as though with each hit, he's looking to put the opposing skater in the emergency room or the ICU.  Thus, he makes this list as the NHL's dirtiest hitter.

For further proof, watch the video to the left.