The Minesota Wild played the Buffalo Sabres the other night at the First Niagara Center. It was the first game for the Sabres after the Patrick Kaleta 10 game suspension announcement.

The Wild employ former Penguin and chief vilian of the NHL Matt Cooke. Cooke has famously been the poster child for unacceptable play in the NHL and has rightly earned his poor reputation.

It was Cooke's megasuspension for elbowing Rangers defenseman Ryan MacDonagh that put Matt Cooke's career at a crossroad. He could either take Penguins GM Ray Shero's advice and clean up his act, or he could play himself out of the league.

Cooke chose the right path and has worked hard to change his game. So far the results have been positive. It doesn't change the fact that people still hate him, but it has resulted in less danger for the other players he has played against, and has further solidified Cooke as one of the better third line players in the league (3G, 3A in 7 games this season).

Fast forward back to Monday night in Buffalo and Matt Cooke spotted Patrick Kaleta in the hall waiting for former teammate Jason Pominville. In an interview with ESPN's Pierre LeBrun here is what Cooke said about their interaction:

"I told him, 'I’ve been there, it’s not fun.’ It’s hard. I laid it out there that if he wants to know what I did, I’d gladly talk to him about it. He knows Pommer, so I told him if you want to get hold of me, I’m there to talk.’"

"During my suspension, with either [Dan] Bylsma or [Tony] Granato, I probably watched about 30 or 40 hours of video; watching players that play a physical style," Cooke recalled.

"The hours of video work I did seriously helped me. The work that I put in has helped me not only take the risky plays out but also become a more effective player. I’ve got a way more active stick on the forecheck, and I’m more aware of my surroundings, which has helped me offensively."

"It’s never going to be over for me, and I realize that, and I’m fine with that. Right now, I err on the side of caution. I still watch video to reassure that there are good times to go out and be physical.

It’s just a read. If you don’t change the way you visually see the game, then change is impossible."

Patrick Kaleta much like Cooke has to change his game. Kaleta does not possess the same amount of hockey ability as Matt Cooke thus making his leash much shorter and teams less llikely to take a chance on his risky play. However, much like Cooke, Kaleta can be a good player in the role that he provides. Kaleta can help a team on the 4th line if he can eliminate his risky behavior.

I think it couldn't hurt for Patrick Kaleta to pick up the phone and continue the dialogue with Cooke so that he too can make drastic changes so

It's not about whether you like either player. It's about a player in Cooke who can't change his past, changed his present/future, and is now reaching out to Kaleta so that he no longer continues to put other players at harm. If something like that has the potential to make the game safer I say good for Matt Cooke and good for the the players in the league.

Thanks for reading!

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