Matt Cooke still says he is a changed man. Howie Morenz Jersey . Less than a day after the NHL handed the Minnesota Wild forward a seven-game suspension for his knee-on-knee collision with Colorado Avalanche defenceman Tyson Barrie, Cooke reiterated to the media Thursday that he had no intention of hurting his opponent. "It was not my intent to collide knee-to-knee. Meant to finish my check," he said. The suspension has thrust Cooke back into a negative spotlight. From 2004 to 2011, he was suspended five times for a total of 27 games prior to his most recent conviction. Nonetheless, Cooke is adamant that his questionable decisions are a thing of the past. "Since March 20, 2011, Ive been a changed player," he said. "Stats prove Im a changed player." Cooke has 48 hours to appeal the decision, first to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. If Bettman upholds six games or more, Cooke then has seven days to file an appeal to a neutral arbitrator. He has yet to say whether or not he will appeal the ban. If the suspension is not fully served in this years playoffs, it will continue on next season. The Avalanche have a 2-1 series lead heading into Game 4 on Thursday. Cooke is apologetic for his action and says he is "disappointed" Barrie will miss any time due to injury. However, Avalanche coach Patrick Roy told reporters ealier in the day that the damage has already been done. "(Even if Cooke gets) 10, 15, 20 games, were still playing without Tyson," said Roy. Guy Lafleur Jersey .Y. -- First, Ryan Miller. Brendan Gallagher Jersey . - The Detroit Lions have placed tight end Brandon Pettigrew on injured reserve, ending his season. http://www.authenticcanadiensshopnhl.com/karl-alzner-jersey/ .ca NHL Power Rankings, finally overtaking the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks, who rank second and third this week.Kansas City, MO (SportsNetwork.com) - Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith will miss Sundays regular-season finale against San Diego with a lacerated spleen. Smith, who practiced earlier this week, suffered the injury during the third quarter of last weeks 20-12 loss to Pittsburgh after getting hit on a throw to rookie receiver Albert Wilson. I felt great athletically, running around, throwing, Smith said. Just kind of had this constant deal going on and thankfully, Doc kind of urged me to get the test. Chiefs trainer Rick Burkholder saiid that Smiths injury does not require surgery, but usually takes six weeks to heal. Green Canadiens Jerseys. Once you started hearing how serious it is, you start knowing the implications can come of this as far as not playing. commented Smith. Thats the last thing you want to hear. Chase Daniel will get the start at quarterback in a game that will have postseason implications for Kansas City. The Chiefs need to defeat the Chargers and also need Cleveland and Jacksonville to win on the road in order to make the playoffs. Cheap Chargers Jerseys Cheap Browns Jerseys Cheap Texans Jerseys Cheap Ravens Jerseys Cheap Panthers Jerseys Cheap Jets Jerseys Cheap Titans Jerseys Cheap Chiefs Jerseys Cheap Bills Jerseys Cheap Colts Jerseys Cheap Cardinals Jerseys Cheap Buccaneers Jerseys Cheap Rams Jerseys Cheap Jaguars Jerseys Cheap Falcons Jerseys Cheap Bengals Jerseys ' ' '