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Matt Cooke Won’t Be Suspended by NHL for Hit on Marc Savard

Matt Cooke will not be suspended by the NHL for his hit to the head of Marc Savard, according to Bob McKenzie of TSN.

The report, which came via Twitter, said that the Penguins have been informed by the league that their winger will not be disciplined in the form of a suspension.

“[Campbell] said it was a matter of consistency,” McKenzie wrote. “No suspension for [Mike] Richards. No suspension for Cooke. … [Campbell] said if this hit happens next season it is a suspension. And if it’s a repeat offender like Cooke, the suspension will be stiffer again.”

The hit has been the topic of much debate since it took place on Sunday afternoon. Since then, the GMs have unanimously agreed to change the language in the rule book on similar such hits, but it appears as though nothing in the current rules bans the blindsided shot to the head that Savard received, according to NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell.

The point of emphasis in watching the replay that was most under question was whether Cooke used his elbow to hit Savard. Replays were inconclusive, but Campbell announced on Monday that he and a committee saw no elbow.