Matt Cooke Appreciation Thread

[IntangibleBeer]

After being overly soft last year, Cooke found his place playing an aggressive but clean game this year. He was a warrior in the playoffs and was one of the few Pens who played at their potential this year. I will miss the evil genius.

This!

I am very sorry to see him go. He always showed up, even when a lot of his team mates didn't.

[Steve Dave]

Good luck Cookie!

[columbia]

It is going to be more weird not having Cooke on the team than any other Pen I can think of recently.

Kind of like your abrasive cousin; when the **** hits the fan, you want him around.

[brwi]

After being overly soft last year, Cooke found his place playing an aggressive but clean game this year. He was a warrior in the playoffs and was one of the few Pens who played at their potential this year. I will miss the evil genius.

Totally agree. It took him a year to clean up his game and in the interim was kind of soff, but his reformed game this past year and especially in the post-season was the right balance. At 2.5mil/yr, I think the Wild got pretty good value for their money and he will definitely help their roster.

[profpolisci]

I called him a 'moron' on here after the McDonagh incident but the way he endeavored and changed his game is admirable. As one who dabbles in the moronic from time to time I can say-Cookie, you'll be missed in these parts. They say TK never took a game off but I'd give the crown to you. Best wishes.

[Toke]

Letting Cookie walk flat out bothers me. This team needs Matt Cooke.

[maopens]

Will miss watching Cook on this team. The guy as close to his limit as anyone on a nightly basis. He may not have Crosby skill but he has the heart and he gave a lot of himself to this team. Sure, sometimes maybe a bit too much but he played hard, killed penalties very well, pitched in on offense, and made opposing forwards hate playing against him. Best wishes and thank you for the effort. It was appreciated by many.

[E-Ramone]

Will miss watching Cook on this team. The guy as close to his limit as anyone on a nightly basis. He may not have Crosby skill but he has the heart and he gave a lot of himself to this team. Sure, sometimes maybe a bit too much but he played hard, killed penalties very well, pitched in on offense, and made opposing forwards hate playing against him. Best wishes and thank you for the effort. It was appreciated by many.

[Mr. Colby]

Not a huge cooke fan at all but taking away cooke and tk puts that bottom six in shambles. I mean it is bad.

That said, only UFA bottom sixer I'd have taken for the price they got was lapierre.

I mean 2.5 for 4 yrs of eric nystrom. Puke.

Still though the bottom 6 is uggggly

[Faubert5]

Will miss watching Cook on this team. The guy as close to his limit as anyone on a nightly basis. He may not have Crosby skill but he has the heart and he gave a lot of himself to this team. Sure, sometimes maybe a bit too much but he played hard, killed penalties very well, pitched in on offense, and made opposing forwards hate playing against him. Best wishes and thank you for the effort. It was appreciated by many.

He was the most consistent player for the Pens in the post-season this year. I will miss Matt Cooke and so will the Penguins.

[Gaucho]

Good luck Cookie!

[Big Easy Pens Fan]

Good luck Matt Cooke. They say people can't change. But Cooke did, and for the better. Gonna miss # 24. And that ring on your finger...they can't take that away from you and it says "Penguins". And by saying he and his family will live in the 'Burgh after he hangs 'em up says a lot, not only about Matt but about Pittsburgh. Once a Penguin, always a Penguin.

Editing here: When Cookie hit the ice he always played his @ss off.

BEPF

[columbia]

When they acquired Matt Cooke in 2008, I really felt that the Pens were taking steps to get closer to the cup.
I don't feel that, this summer.

That's an issue that's bigger than him, naturally, but I'll miss the dude.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

It's funny, I remember being on the message board on the penguins main website back when we got Cooke. A few nucks fans came on and were saying how much we're going to love having him and they didn't want to see him go.

For all the flack he gets, what he actually brings to the ice is largely overlooked. He's an agitator who actually backs up his game with solid hockey. I wish him luck and I'm glad he's playing in the West. I'd had to have to face him frequently.

[taz71]

I agree we need a player like Matt Cooke on the 3rd line. This made me smile.

Spoiler:

"Now Shero will freak everyone's beans by dealing Niskanen for Cooke"

[shafnutz05]

Matt Cooke showed a lot more heart in this recent postseason than Crosby and Malkin combined.

[columbia]

There's a lot of bromance here for Matt Cooke....

Spoiler:

[Big Easy Pens Fan]

Matt Cooke showed a lot more heart in this recent postseason than Crosby and Malkin combined.

See my thread about this quality. And we mantion it after a player is gone. Nothing wrong with that of course but .


BEPF

[Lt. Dish]

I agree we need a player like Matt Cooke on the 3rd line. This made me smile.

Spoiler:

"Now Shero will freak everyone's beans by dealing Niskanen for Cooke"

Wake up, RS!!!

For some reason, I'm actually sadder about Cooke's departure than I was about Jordan Staal's.

[wondermoose]

Sad to see him go, but since getting all of the suspensions he can't be as effective as before. The refs took his physical game away and his conscience took the agitator out of him. Great this liner and I hope he continues to stay out of trouble.

[Dickie Dunn]

I loved Cooke and loved the way he played. A few years ago I had the opportunity to meet the Penguins at an event for Make A Wish. Cooke and Guerin were easily the nicest players we met.

[FallenHero96]

The Minnesota Wild really are trying to be the Pittsburgh Penguins, it's flattering. Despite some grumbling about Cooke's reputation by some fans, I think he will be great for this MN team. Cooke will have just about the exact same role here with the Wild.

[pcm]

Thanks for the 5 years (!), Cooke.

[KG]

I don't mind that he's gone because of the negative connotation. He does need to be replaced though...

[Penspal]

Cooke brought hustle, grit, solid checking and PK pwnage with some offense sprinkled in. That will be hard to replace.

However, the 5-6 "because its Matt Cooke" penalty calls will not be.

Really glad he signed in the West.