NHL insider Elliotte Friedman has identified Matt Cooke’s seven-game suspension from 2014 as a relevant comparable for a current disciplinary situation facing the league, according to a report from @FriedgeHNIC.
Friedman noted that former NHL executive Michael Futa offered insight on the matter earlier today, leading to the comparison of the historical 2014 ruling. During the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Cooke, then a member of the Minnesota Wild, was assessed a seven-game ban for a kneeing incident that injured Tyson Barrie. By citing this specific case, Friedman suggests that the NHL Department of Player Safety may be weighing a significant multi-game suspension for a pending disciplinary decision.
The mention of Cooke as a benchmark provides a framework for the potential severity of the league's upcoming announcement. While the specific player currently under review was not named in the initial report, the use of a seven-game playoff suspension as a comparable indicates a high level of concern regarding the recent on-ice incident. Friedman credited Futa for his analysis of the situation as the hockey world awaits a final ruling from the league office.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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