COOKE SKATES AWAY

As a guy named Scott, I have a question? Can we now change the expression to “He got off Matt free”?

What a joke.

It’s about consistency?? That’s the company line you’re going to tow, NHL? You have a repeat offender that took advantage of a player in an extremely vulnerable position and you decide that you’re going to go with “Consistency”. I’m sorry – I was under the impression that Campbell was the NHL’s Justice Minister, but apparently he’s in chanrge of Consistency.

Guess who Colin Campbell and the NHL just put in jeopardy? Not Cooke. That’s the obvious and easy answer; that the next time these two clubs get together, Cooke’s got a target on him. No, this ruling puts two of the biggest stars in hockey in jeopardy.

Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

Eight days from today, the Bruins host the Penguins. And while Campbell and Gary Bettman will be sure to warn everyone involved that there had better not be any shenanigans, the Boston market will be demanding blood.

Cooke took out what little offense the Bruins had in the lineup. Marc Savard may very well not play again this season – for a team that has scored fewer goals than any team in the league. And while all eyes will be watching Boston’s tough guys in an attempt to prevent a “Bertuzzi-like” incident, answer me this.

Based on the ruling that came down yesterday, what it to prevent a Bruins’ forward from blindsiding Crosby in the head the same way Cooke blindsided Savard? I am by NO means advocating such action… but if that were to happen, how could Campbell and the NHL turn around and discipline the guy who snuffed out Sid? After all, it’s all about consistency.

And while nothing might happen next Thursday, what about in the playoffs? These two teams have a decent chance of meeting in the first round. You think Boston’s chances aren’t significantly improved without Crosby or Malkin in the lineup?

And let's not forget, when the NHL really wants to suspend someone, they can find a way. Sean Avery's infamous "sloppy seconds" comment doesn't violate any particular NHL rule, but it made the game (and Avery) look awful. It was enough to prompt the league to suspend Avery for six games under the guise of "conduct detrimental to the League or game of hockey". There was no appeal because the NHL did the right thing, which is exactly what they failed to do today

Nice job, NHL. You have done exactly what the Canadian Justice system is often accused of doing – you’ve protected the criminal instead of the innocent.

Why should Cooke or anybody else respect the other players in the league? The NHL has just shown that it doesn’t.