Slap Shots: To The Head

Time to put the puck on the 'Net:

Matt Cooke

• I really want to like Matt Cooke. He does great charity and community work. The fact that he is one of classiest guys off the ice is one of the NHL's best kept secrets.
  
• On the ice he has nowhere near as much respect. The pest has long considered to be an at-times dirty player, who never backs up his own actions. While I fully believe Cooke intended to hit Marc Savard shoulder on shoulder, he has a bad history of hitting people in vulnerable positions.
• These blind side hits need to be removed from the game. Hits to the head need to be automatic penalties. But before we vilify Cooke too much, let's remember he did not use his stick, elbow or forearm here. To some degree this was a hockey play gone horribly wrong, but not a blatant attack.
  

New Rules?

• Why is it hockey is the one sport that is constantly changing the rules? And everyone has a suggestion or ten on how to improve the game.
• Expect those suggestions to come fast and furious this week, as NHL general managers meetings are being held in Boca Raton, Florida.
• One interesting tweet from Darren Dreger: NHL GM subcommittee is looking into the possibility of a qualification series for the 8th seed in each conference.
• One thing is for sure - NHL teams would love to see more teams make the playoffs, because that means more gate receipts. And since the players salaries are all paid for by playoffs, this is all cash in the pocket.
  
• With so many teams operating on break-even business plans for the regular season, more playoff teams is desired. A qualification series could be a good alternative. 16 out of 30 teams making the playoffs is a good number, but this would allow other teams their own playoff revenue and excitement. It would also reward the best teams with some time off.

Random Thoughts

• Why are the general managers meetings always in some tropical setting? They should at least be in a NHL city.
  
• Awesome article here by Stephen Brunt. It's about Gary Bettman's and the NHL's need for more visionary leadership. I've never been one to complain about Bettman, as I've always seen him as a puppet of the owners anyways. But after 17 years I agree, it is time to question his leadership going forward.
  
• By the way, I suspect Stephen Brunt could write Pi to 50 decimal places and make it fascinating. Great writer.
• RIP Ronald Petterson. The three time Olympian passed away on the weekend. He was 74.

For more slap shots and links pertaining to hockey history, join me on Twitter @HockeyLegends.