a lot of ottawa fans were pissed THAT NIGHT, but after getting over the shock of losing karlsson, regained some objectivity and saw the incident for what it was. the people who were in yost's blog complaining about it were mostly fans of other teams. the people who have kept this going are, in no particular order....melnyk, ottawa sun, fans of other teams, and a FEW sens fans.
- sensarmy_11

Agreed. Most Sens fans have been level headed throughout.

Is Kassian even playing tonight? I thought I read that he stayed out late after the skate this morning.
- rival22

No sorry, not what the sign says, just, that you'll see a lot of those signs tonight.

I'd expect him to play if Mccintire is.

Kassasination?


Kassian needs to be more concerned about this nutjob than Cooke does of him.



- canadianpenfan

Utterly useless as a hockey player, but if you need someone punched really hard he is a great guy.

I've met him a few times and he understands that he's a joke. But he gets paid 500K a season to have great seats for a hockey game (his line).

Here's the thing on the Cooke thing. Ok, I am a Sens fan.. totally admit it.

Have you guys ever seen a player 'fall' into a goalie? Happens all the time right? What happens after that? He generally still has the Dmen on top of him trying to get some punches in. While the guy may have simply fallen into the goalie, fans and players on the other team usually aren't that quick to give the guy the benefit of the doubt.

So, let's say for example that Jordan Tootoo comes barreling into the Pens goal and 'trips' into Fleury, knocking him out stone cold for the rest of the season. What would Pens fans think? There would be no way to prove that he did it on purpose, but, based on his history of malicious, dangerous and reckless plays, it would be extremely hard to give the guy the benefit of the doubt, right? Chances are, Pens fans would want a pens player to go and beat the crap out of him. If Tootoo declines the fight, Pens fans will be even more pissed and hope for retribution at the next game.

This incident is no different. While it's impossible to prove intent, the bottom line is that Cooke made an extremely reckless play - a play that has NEVER happened like that before - and the Sens best player missed the year because of it.

The night of the injury, if you asked hockey fans, after seeing Karlsson limping to the bench, which Pens player was going to come out of the corner, at least 50% would say 'Matt Cooke'. The other 50% would probably cover the rest of the entire team.

The bottom line is that Cooke should answer for what he did (just like my Tootoo example above), but it shouldn't be tonight. The game is far too important for the Sens to be screwing around. But the first shift of the first game they play next season, a sens fighter has to challenge Cooke. If Cooke turtles or skates away, then the Sens players should target Crosby and Malkin for the rest of the game. It's just that simple.

If Cooke can stand up for himself and take his 'medicine', then it should end there. If he decides to run and hide, then the Pens stars should have to answer. If Pens players and fans don't like it, then you shouldn't have that type of player on your team.
- Charliebox

You need a reality check

Here's the thing on the Cooke thing. Ok, I am a Sens fan.. totally admit it.

Have you guys ever seen a player 'fall' into a goalie? Happens all the time right? What happens after that? He generally still has the Dmen on top of him trying to get some punches in. While the guy may have simply fallen into the goalie, fans and players on the other team usually aren't that quick to give the guy the benefit of the doubt.

So, let's say for example that Jordan Tootoo comes barreling into the Pens goal and 'trips' into Fleury, knocking him out stone cold for the rest of the season. What would Pens fans think? There would be no way to prove that he did it on purpose, but, based on his history of malicious, dangerous and reckless plays, it would be extremely hard to give the guy the benefit of the doubt, right? Chances are, Pens fans would want a pens player to go and beat the crap out of him. If Tootoo declines the fight, Pens fans will be even more pissed and hope for retribution at the next game.

This incident is no different. While it's impossible to prove intent, the bottom line is that Cooke made an extremely reckless play - a play that has NEVER happened like that before - and the Sens best player missed the year because of it.

The night of the injury, if you asked hockey fans, after seeing Karlsson limping to the bench, which Pens player was going to come out of the corner, at least 50% would say 'Matt Cooke'. The other 50% would probably cover the rest of the entire team.

The bottom line is that Cooke should answer for what he did (just like my Tootoo example above), but it shouldn't be tonight. The game is far too important for the Sens to be screwing around. But the first shift of the first game they play next season, a sens fighter has to challenge Cooke. If Cooke turtles or skates away, then the Sens players should target Crosby and Malkin for the rest of the game. It's just that simple.

If Cooke can stand up for himself and take his 'medicine', then it should end there. If he decides to run and hide, then the Pens stars should have to answer. If Pens players and fans don't like it, then you shouldn't have that type of player on your team.
- Charliebox

Gimme an f-ing break.

Your other example aside (which is a bad comparison), you are saying that it's important for Cooke to answer for what you think he did, but it's so unimportant that it should wait until next season? That makes zero sense.

If the Senators or any of their fans are still worried about this next season, they that's on them.

Any anyone who wants a team to target opposing star players for an accidental injury that their guy got, need to grow up too.

If the Senators are smart (and for the record, they are the best coached team in the entire NHL and do not have a reputation for letting their emotions get in the way of a good hockey game, so yes, they are smart), they won't concern themselves with a fringe NHL'er like Cooke and focus more on getting the win and moving themselves closer to the playoffs.

I do think the first commenter is wayyyyy out of line by suggesting that all Ottawa fans are ridiculous because of comments made in the Ottawa Sun. It is a well documented fact that no one dislikes the comments made in that rag about the Senators more than Senators fans themselves. Taking the opinions of Don Brennan or Bruce Garrioch as the gospel for which Senators fans conduct themselves is ludicrous. These two don't have 2 nickels worth of credibility to rub together between them, and they instead focus on sensationalism and antagonism to provoke discussion and traffic. And obviously it worked.

As for Senators fans still feeling butthurt about the whole Karlsson-Cooke incident...that's exactly how they're supposed to feel. They're entitled to that, and they'll surely be hoping that Cooke feels a little pain tonight. If you think about it, Matt Cooke inflicted a severe injury on the best player in the NHL by being Matt Cooke. If that had been Patrick Kaleta cutting Sidney Crosby's achilles tendon, or Steve Ott cutting Alex Ovechkin's achilles tendon, or any other wiener NHL'er cutting any other star NHL'ers achilles tendon, there would be an equal amount of butthurt coming out of the stars fanbase, and an equal amount of backtracking and excuses coming out of the offenders fanbase. The ongoing discussion about this incident was absolutely predictable, and it in no way should be a negative mark on the fans of the Senators or the Penguins. Let's hope it's a good hockey game. And at the very least, let's hope that Jared Cowen catches Cooke coming across the middle and lays him out with a good clean bodycheck. It's not like Cooke will fight anyways, and I'd rather see the guy get the wind knocked out of him on a good hockey play, as I'm sure would any fan of any player on any team that Cooke has done something questionable to, which I think would include any fan of any team not called the Pittsburgh Penguins.

And yes, Karlsson is the best player in the NHL, or at least he was when he got hurt. Whether he still is or not coming back, who knows. But for a time, he absolutely was.

the people who have kept this going are, in no particular order....melnyk, ottawa sun, fans of other teams, and a FEW sens fans.
- sensarmy_11

I've noticed that. There are about 4 Sen fans who keep bringing it up, but the rest are Flyer or Ranger fans for some reason.

fringe NHL'er like Cooke and focus more on getting the win and moving themselves closer to the playoffs.


- the_terror

I don't know if a guy who has played 14 years can be considered a fringe NHL'er.

Gimme an f-ing break.

Your other example aside (which is a bad comparison), you are saying that it's important for Cooke to answer for what you think he did, but it's so unimportant that it should wait until next season? That makes zero sense.

If the Senators or any of their fans are still worried about this next season, they that's on them.

Any anyone who wants a team to target opposing star players for an accidental injury that their guy got, need to grow up too.
- rival22

It's not a bad comparison at all. Both are reckless plays that result in injuries to star players.

Cooke has a history. No one can deny that. Because of that, it's extremely difficult to give him the benefit of the doubt. Had it been, say, Tyler Kennedy who did it, no one would still be talking about it.

The bottom line is that a 'weasel' took out a star player with a reckless play. The weasel should have to answer for his actions. Period.

I'm sure that in this case, he will answer.

As for saying it's not important enough to do it tonight, misses the point entirely. The point isn't that the Sens and Pens have a rivalry. I don't think any Sen fan has anything against the Pens as a team. It's one player they have a problem with. If, say, Cooke is traded in the offseason, HE should still have to answer for his actions, regardless of who he plays for.

not in the line up tonight:
crosby
neal
martin
letang
MAF
bennet


wow... a third of the team tonight is call ups so let the sens be idiots if they want. big mac will be out there.

Sooo, No 87, 71, 7, 18, 58, 29, OR 19?

If Ottawa doesn't win this game they should just quit.

Honestly, I still think the Penguins find a way to get it done.

Again, Ottawa needs the 2 points, if they are intent on going after Cooke then its just plain ignorance. I say Cooke fights with someone more his size and it will all be over.

not in the line up tonight:
crosby
neal
martin
letang
MAF
bennet


wow... a third of the team tonight is call ups so let the sens be idiots if they want. big mac will be out there.
- saintjust21

Malkin.

I've noticed that. There are about 4 Sen fans who keep bringing it up, but the rest are Flyer or Ranger fans for some reason.
- Ben37

They made way more of a big deal of it than the majority of the level-headed Sens fans. Not surprising of course.

I don't know if a guy who has played 14 years can be considered a fringe NHL'er.
- Ben37

Could you replace what Matt Cooke brings to a team with just about any player in any team's farm system?

Yes.

Hence, fringe NHL'er.

He's managed to keep his career going by being that polarizing character, the one who distracts other teams and keeps them chasing him around instead of playing his game. Shave a chimp, but him on skates, and tell him to chase guys around, and you've got every Matt Cooke type player in the history of the league.

Cooke has a history. No one can deny that. Because of that, it's extremely difficult to give him the benefit of the doubt. Had it been, say, Tyler Kennedy who did it, no one would still be talking about it.


- Charliebox

That is the issue. Everyone is too caught up in the names involved to recognize that it was a freak play. Because it was Matt Cooke and Erik Karlson it has to have been on purpose. But if it was the exact same play with the exact same result but it was Dustin Jeffrey on Patrick Wiercoch no one would have even batted an eyelash.

Hell if it was Cooke on Wiercoch no one would have cared.

Through out this whole ordeal I take no issue with Sens fans being mad that this happened. I was mad at the winter classic when Sid got hurt even though it was an accident. The only issue I have is the owner putting a bounty on Cooke and the league doing nothing about it.

If this guy shows up Eugene will have some explaining to do.

If the Senators are smart (and for the record, they are the best coached team in the entire NHL and do not have a reputation for letting their emotions get in the way of a good hockey game, so yes, they are smart), they won't concern themselves with a fringe NHL'er like Cooke and focus more on getting the win and moving themselves closer to the playoffs.

I do think the first commenter is wayyyyy out of line by suggesting that all Ottawa fans are ridiculous because of comments made in the Ottawa Sun. It is a well documented fact that no one dislikes the comments made in that rag about the Senators more than Senators fans themselves. Taking the opinions of Don Brennan or Bruce Garrioch as the gospel for which Senators fans conduct themselves is ludicrous. These two don't have 2 nickels worth of credibility to rub together between them, and they instead focus on sensationalism and antagonism to provoke discussion and traffic. And obviously it worked.

As for Senators fans still feeling butthurt about the whole Karlsson-Cooke incident...that's exactly how they're supposed to feel. They're entitled to that, and they'll surely be hoping that Cooke feels a little pain tonight. If you think about it, Matt Cooke inflicted a severe injury on the best player in the NHL by being Matt Cooke. If that had been Patrick Kaleta cutting Sidney Crosby's achilles tendon, or Steve Ott cutting Alex Ovechkin's achilles tendon, or any other wiener NHL'er cutting any other star NHL'ers achilles tendon, there would be an equal amount of butthurt coming out of the stars fanbase, and an equal amount of backtracking and excuses coming out of the offenders fanbase. The ongoing discussion about this incident was absolutely predictable, and it in no way should be a negative mark on the fans of the Senators or the Penguins. Let's hope it's a good hockey game. And at the very least, let's hope that Jared Cowen catches Cooke coming across the middle and lays him out with a good clean bodycheck. It's not like Cooke will fight anyways, and I'd rather see the guy get the wind knocked out of him on a good hockey play, as I'm sure would any fan of any player on any team that Cooke has done something questionable to, which I think would include any fan of any team not called the Pittsburgh Penguins.

And yes, Karlsson is the best player in the NHL, or at least he was when he got hurt. Whether he still is or not coming back, who knows. But for a time, he absolutely was.
- the_terror

Could you replace what Matt Cooke brings to a team with just about any player in any team's farm system?

Yes.

Hence, fringe NHL'er.

He's managed to keep his career going by being that polarizing character, the one who distracts other teams and keeps them chasing him around instead of playing his game. Shave a chimp, but him on skates, and tell him to chase guys around, and you've got every Matt Cooke type player in the history of the league.
- the_terror

Of course not. He's one of the best penalty killers in the league. Sorry if you don't believe that, or don't want to believe that, but it's true.

That is the issue. Everyone is too caught up in the names involved to recognize that it was a freak play. Because it was Matt Cooke and Erik Karlson it has to have been on purpose. But if it was the exact same play with the exact same result but it was Dustin Jeffrey on Patrick Wiercoch no one would have even batted an eyelash.

Hell if it was Cooke on Wiercoch no one would have cared.
- Ben37

Dude, if it was Cooke on anyone.. even a guy playing his first NHL game.. people would have cared.

You can call it a 'freak' play all you want, but it really wasn't. It was one player trying to pin another player along the boards. That happens how many times in every single game?!?

Cooke tried to pin him, but he did it recklessly. While there may not have been malicious intent, players who have made their career out of being malicious, dangerous and reckless should have to answer when they continue to do reckless things.

And yes, Karlsson is the best player in the NHL, or at least he was when he got hurt. Whether he still is or not coming back, who knows. But for a time, he absolutely was.
- the_terror

Long winded rant ended with complete lack of credibility.

Hockey players need to play both ends of the ice, great player for sure...FAR from the best.

Could you replace what Matt Cooke brings to a team with just about any player in any team's farm system?

Yes.

Hence, fringe NHL'er.

He's managed to keep his career going by being that polarizing character, the one who distracts other teams and keeps them chasing him around instead of playing his game. Shave a chimp, but him on skates, and tell him to chase guys around, and you've got every Matt Cooke type player in the history of the league.
- the_terror

15-20 goals and an excellent penalty killer and an effective pest. Can you easily replace what Dan Paille or Greg Campbell bring to the Bruins? They are all cut from the same basic mold. I'm not call Paille or Campbell dirty but they all play the grinding style that teams need.

He's not a Dustin Jeffrey or Matt Bartkowski who get cups of coffee in the NHL when a guy gets hurt.

Long winded rant ended with complete lack of credibility.

Hockey players need to play both ends of the ice, great player for sure...FAR from the best.
- Sell My Monkey

You obviously don't watch him. He plays against the other team's top line every game. He is the Sens offensive beast as well as shutdown Dman.

I wouldn't go as far as to say he is the best player in the league, but he is, by far, the most dominant Dman in the NHL.

If the Senators are smart (and for the record, they are the best coached team in the entire NHL and do not have a reputation for letting their emotions get in the way of a good hockey game, so yes, they are smart), they won't concern themselves with a fringe NHL'er like Cooke and focus more on getting the win and moving themselves closer to the playoffs.

I do think the first commenter is wayyyyy out of line by suggesting that all Ottawa fans are ridiculous because of comments made in the Ottawa Sun. It is a well documented fact that no one dislikes the comments made in that rag about the Senators more than Senators fans themselves. Taking the opinions of Don Brennan or Bruce Garrioch as the gospel for which Senators fans conduct themselves is ludicrous. These two don't have 2 nickels worth of credibility to rub together between them, and they instead focus on sensationalism and antagonism to provoke discussion and traffic. And obviously it worked.

As for Senators fans still feeling butthurt about the whole Karlsson-Cooke incident...that's exactly how they're supposed to feel. They're entitled to that, and they'll surely be hoping that Cooke feels a little pain tonight. If you think about it, Matt Cooke inflicted a severe injury on the best player in the NHL by being Matt Cooke. If that had been Patrick Kaleta cutting Sidney Crosby's achilles tendon, or Steve Ott cutting Alex Ovechkin's achilles tendon, or any other wiener NHL'er cutting any other star NHL'ers achilles tendon, there would be an equal amount of butthurt coming out of the stars fanbase, and an equal amount of backtracking and excuses coming out of the offenders fanbase. The ongoing discussion about this incident was absolutely predictable, and it in no way should be a negative mark on the fans of the Senators or the Penguins. Let's hope it's a good hockey game. And at the very least, let's hope that Jared Cowen catches Cooke coming across the middle and lays him out with a good clean bodycheck. It's not like Cooke will fight anyways, and I'd rather see the guy get the wind knocked out of him on a good hockey play, as I'm sure would any fan of any player on any team that Cooke has done something questionable to, which I think would include any fan of any team not called the Pittsburgh Penguins.

And yes, Karlsson is the best player in the NHL, or at least he was when he got hurt. Whether he still is or not coming back, who knows. But for a time, he absolutely was.
- the_terror

You have to be kidding me?
Crosby, Kane, Letang, Stamkos, Tavares, Chara, and Weber. Are better all around hockey players than Karlsson, with out even thinking very hard.

You have to be kidding me?
Crosby, Kane, Letang, Stamkos, Tavares, Chara, and Weber. Are better all around hockey players than Karlsson, with out even thinking very hard.
- nbartley9

Letang? hahahaha.. Dude, your homerism is showing. Put it away.

The other guys are all either 1. forwards, or 2 shutdown/physical Dmen.

But Letang? He is of the exact same mould as Karlsson but not even close to as good.

Can you even imagine how many points Karlsson would have had last year if he was quarterbacking a PP with Crosby, Malkin and Neal on it?

But Letang? He is of the exact same mould as Karlsson but not even close to as good.
- Charliebox

No, Letang actually plays defense. He isn't just a winger who plays at the blue line. Mike Green would be a more accurate comparison.