Finally, a real statement from the NHL after Matt Cooke's terrible head shot on former Minnesota Mr. Hockey Ryan McDonagh yesterday. McDonagh missed the Rangers' practice today because he wasn't feeling right.

Now it's time for Mario Lemieux to put his money where his mouth is. The Penguins' owner has been outspoken in recent weeks that this type of player and action must be removed from the game, or he doesn't feel comfortable being an owner in the NHL.

Now we'll see if he means it. After the season, the Penguins should buy out the remaining two years of Cooke's contract or stick this guy on waivers. Enough is enough already with Matt Cooke. He's the king of NHL cheapshot artists. If you want proof, type his name on YouTube.

PENGUINS' COOKE SUSPENDED FOR REMAINDER OF REGULAR SEASON
AND FIRST ROUND OF STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS


TORONTO (March 21, 2011) -- Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matt Cooke
has been suspended for the remainder of the regular season (10 games) and
the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for delivering an elbow to the
head of New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh in NHL game #1080
yesterday, the National Hockey League announced today. Cooke will forfeit
$219,512.20 in salary.

"Mr. Cooke, a repeat offender, directly and unnecessarily targeted
the head of an opponent who was in an unsuspecting and vulnerable
position," said NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations
Colin Campbell. "This isn't the first time this season that we have had to
address dangerous behavior on the ice by Mr. Cooke, and his conduct
requires an appropriately harsh response."

Cooke's most recent suspension was for four games on Feb. 9, 2011 and
under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement forfeits his salary
based on the number of games in the season (82), rather than the number of
days (186). The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

The incident occurred at 4:36 of the third period and Cooke was
assessed a major penalty for elbowing and a game misconduct.

Cooke will miss Pittsburgh's remaining 10 regular-season games and be
ineligible for the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.