I remember years ago back in junior high school we used to have boxing matches in gym class. It was actually a lot of fun. For some kids, however, the experience wasn't so great as the gym teacher would match kids they did not like with partners much bigger, tougher and stronger. This typically resulted in a one-sided ass kicking.
Over time, the school administration realized this probably was not a great idea as there was a possibility of someone getting seriously hurt. Boxing was soon phased out of the gym class curriculum.
You know what else is not a good idea? Having Matt Cooke on your team. Last week Cooke was handed a four game suspension for his behind the back hit on Fedor Tyutin. When asked about the Cooke hit here's how Dan Bylsma responded “The player looks him right in the eye and knows he’s coming and makes sure he keeps his numbers turned towards him." Dan, did you ever consider why folks are taking shots at some of your better players? Look at this video from Don Cherry last March. It shows numerous examples of Matt Cooke intending to injure opponents. Cherry is prescient as he points out that opponents will start going after star Pittsburgh players like Sidney Crosby.
Retired winger Bill Guerin even called Cooke out after the Savard incident, you would think when your own teammate is non-supportive, Cooke would get the clue he's way over the line. The most recent Cooke incident with Tyutin comes on the heels of last Sunday's game against the Washington Capitals where he intentionally stuck out his knee on Alex Ovechkin.
So, how does this get fixed? Mike Milbury and Pierre McQuire actually had some pretty good thoughts on this. Milbury suggested putting a maximum limit on the number of major penalties or suspensions for a given player during the course of the season. Once this limit is exceeded, they are gone for the rest of the season. Pierre McQuire suggested lowering the roster size of players on the bench by one. That way a coach or GM would think twice about wasting a slot with an "energy-goon" like Matt Cooke. The Detroit Red Wings, for example, seem to do pretty well without an "energy goon".
Miscelleneous notes.....Islander goalies....where do they get these guys? I have always thought it risky to select a goalie as your #1 pick. Goalies are really a wild card as a high draft choice, they less predictable than forwards or defense men and typically have a longer development cycle. Picking Rick DiPietro first and signing him to a long term contract as an unproven NHL player was not a good move....Islander rookie goalie Kevin Poulin was irate at Vancouver Canucks forward Mason Raymond's spin-o-rama shoot out goal in a January game....Here's a novel idea Kevin, you might want to consider stopping the puck and keeping quiet...not a sermon, just a suggestion.
Washington Capitals.....very interesting team right now. I believe the goal tending is solid and so is the defense. The key missing piece to the puzzle this year is something they new about at the start of the season - no depth at center ice beyond Niklas Backstrom. They tried Tomas Fleischmann there, but he didn't click. Mathieu Perrault is talented and fast but inconsistent and still learning. Marcus Johansson can fly but is not quite there yet. The Caps did not plan on Backstrom having a really poor season....the lack of firepower up the middle is killing these guys...should be an interesting trade deadline....if they want to get into the playoffs and advance a couple of rounds they need some center icemen...
