Matt Cooke's Suspension: 5 Things We Learned

Matt Cooke is one of the most polarizing athletes in all of sports.

As a Penguins fan, I appreciate the grit and toughness that Cooke brings to the team.

But on the other hand, when Mario Lemieux comes out publicly and says that the NHL needs to take action against shots to the head (which it most certainly does), you can't really defend Cooke's actions.

Let's take a deeper look into the repercussions of Matt Cooke's 10-game regular season and first round of the playoffs suspension.

1. The NHL Took a Step in the Right Direction

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 08: NHL commissioner Gary Bettman speaks during a press conference before the NHL game between the Vancouver Canucks and the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on March 8, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Get

Numerous members of the media have come out recently and criticized the NHL for the way it has handled the slew of hits to the head. It seems like every time the NHL is mentioned in the national media, whether it be on ESPN or in national newspapers, it is negatively portrayed.

The NHL had to do something drastic in light of Cooke's ridiculous hit and I believe they achieved their goal. Potentially suspending Cooke for 17 games sends a message to the dirty players of the league that these types of malicious hits will not be accepted.

The NHL cannot afford to have their stars missing multiple games because of concussions and other head injuries. Sidney Crosby was in the midst of one of the greatest statistical seasons in recent NHL history. Yet due to the concussion caused by a blindside hit by Aaron Steckel, Crosby has now missed two months of games that are not only important to the Penguins, but also to the promoting of the NHL.

2. ...But Was It Far Enough?

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

NEW YORK - JULY 22: Colin Campbell (L), Executive Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations, and Commissioner Gary Bettman of the National Hockey League address the media regarding NHL rules changes and the new CBA agreement at the Sheraton New Yo

With NHL Disciplinarian Colin Campbell handing out such a severe suspension (of which Cooke will miss out on roughly $214,000 in salary), it would seem that this penalty may be harsh enough.

But is it really?

Recently, Mario Lemieux sent a letter to the NHL suggesting that they fine teams based on the length of suspensions by their players. Given that notion, should the Penguins be fined because of Cooke's actions?

As a Penguins fan, I obviously would not want to see my favorite team penalized in any manner. But by looking at the situation through an objective lens, it may be appropriate.

Drastic measures need to be taken to ensure players safety and this may be a necessary step.

Also, why was Cooke not fined? I would think that they would want to drive the point home as much as possible that his actions were inexcusable. Yes, he will not be paid for the length of his suspension, but it is still surprising to see no fine.

3. Matt Cooke Does Not Think About the Repercussions of His Actions

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 13: Matt Cooke #24 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates with the puck against the Edmonton Oilers on March 13, 2011 at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Matt Cooke is not a goon like other NHL "players" such as Trevor Gillies. Cooke is a serviceable forward in every sense of the word, and he is not out there just to hurt people.

But it is very apparent that Cooke does not consider the results of his actions.

Even if Cooke could care less about the rest of the NHL or the other players safety, his actions yesterday were with complete disregard for his team.

The game yesterday versus the New York Rangers was nearly a must-win if the Penguins were going to catch the Philadelphia Flyers for first place in the Atlantic Division.

In such a tight contest, why would you take such a ridiculous penalty?

The Penguins were forced to then play two men down (following a Matt Niskanen double major for high-sticking), which resulted in the Penguins going down 3-2, and eventually losing 5-2.

Privately, many Penguins after the game were pissed off (and rightfully so) in the locker room. The team battled for 50 minutes tooth and nail with the Rangers to at least get one point, yet Cooke's actions derailed all momentum the Penguins had.

4. The NHL Is Not Biased Towards the Penguins

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 07: General View of the Stanley Cup Championship banners that hang at Mellon Arena on October 07, 2009 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Many fans of other teams feel that there is a bias towards the Penguins because of Sidney Crosby.

Well, this suspension shows that the NHL treats the Penguins just like they would every other team in the league.

This is the longest suspension in Penguins' history and also the longest suspension in the NHL this season. Even the ridiculous hits by Trevor Gillies, where he was blatantly trying to hurt people, did not warrant such a long suspension.

The Penguins may be one of the marquee franchises in the NHL, but they did not do them any favors by suspending an important role player like Cooke for such a prolonged period of time.

5. Pittsburgh Faces a Difficult Road in the NHL Playoffs

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 01: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals and Sidney Crosby #81 of the Pittsburgh Penguins are seperated by a referee during the 2011 NHL Bridgestone Winter Classic at Heinz Field on January 1, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylva

This season has been a roller coaster ride for the Penguins. From the atrocious 7-8-1 start, to the November winning streak, to Crosby's point streak and subsequent injury. It seems like nearly every plausible situation has occurred in Pittsburgh this season.

With injuries to Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Brooks Orpik, Mike Comrie, Nick Johnson and Eric Tangradi, along with the suspension to Matt Cooke, the Penguins are basically operating with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton All-Stars.

Come playoff time, hopefully Crosby and Orpik will be back to make the lineup more complete. But losing Cooke for a possible gritty series versus Tampa Bay or Montreal truly hurts the Penguins' chances of going deep in the playoffs.

As the Penguins have proved though this whole season, when faced with adversity, they rise to the occasion. With all of the obstacles this season, the Penguins are still only six points out of first place in the Atlantic Division, and are currently fourth in the Eastern Conference.

If the stars align, the Penguins have what it takes to make another run at the Stanley Cup Finals, but it could be in spite of Matt Cooke.