It's OK to hit Matt Cooke in the head?

It looks like he was trying to avoid him, but still, as per the criteria Shanahan keeps focusing on, it's probably suspendable, or at least warrants a hearing.

Cooke's position/direction doesn't change, and the head was the principal point of contact and wouldn't have occurred without Carlson positioning his arm that way. etc etc.

I'm not going to lose sleep over this one, though. This is like complaining about Bin Laden not getting due process and demanding consistency from the US gov't. 'Principle' only goes so far with me.

The NHL is a professional sports league. The rules of that league should be enforced regarding every player in that league. Matt Cooke is nobody's hero but this isn't a popularity contest and there is no room in any professional league for favoritism or bias. You don't have to like Matt Cooke and you don't have to care if he is injured, but what you do have to care about is a consistent enforcement of the rules concerning all players - not just the ones you like. Regardless of how you feel about Matt Cooke he has family to care for and children to feed and to wish any kind of severe injury on him is a heartless thing to do. Anyone would expect the rules to apply if Cooke were to deliver a headshot. You need to expect the rules to apply when it happens to him.

No, of course, it isn't okay to headshot even Cooke. But the league also looks at intent, and I believe they determined that Carlson was not attempting to injure, but attempting to make a play up the ice. They also look at past history, and Carlson does not have a history of dirty play.

Matt cooke is a changed man. I love it. You make a valid point. The league says they want to take away head shots but let these ones go. Its bull crap. Doesnt matter if the league wants to get rid of **** talking and its avery out there.. you gotta stick to your word.

League should take a look at all elbowing calls. All headshots. All checks from behind.

Yes,he was the dirtiest player in the league.

But Carlson will get 1-2 games at most.

WOW! That surprises me for sure that there's no hearing on that!

I detested Cooke all last season and the season before, but I have to admit, he's sincerely seeming to be changing his ways. I respect a man who corrects bad behavior.

You're absolutely right about consistency. That hit should be addressed.

Chris Pronger is still considered to be a dirty player, even though he hasn't been suspended since 2008.

Cooke should get a 3 game suspension for head butting Carlsons elbow.

Cloud City is correct, Cooke has 11 points and only 8 PIM sop far.

Agreed, there should be at least a ohone hearing.

Matt Cooke "was" a dirty player would be more accurate; He has changed his style this season.

He currently has more points than PIM.

I'd agree they should have had a hearing... and at the least given a reason why it wasn't a suspendable offense.

Yeah they should at least have a hearing for that. Just because it happened to Cooke doesn't mean it shouldn't be looked at.