I don't buy using the rationale that hockey is a rough game to justify Prpich's stunt. Violence is a great part of the game: when a player has his head down and gets flattened, he had it coming. Good body shots in open ice or along the boards are a joy to watch. Stickwork, though, is usually chickensh!t. Some players, like Prpich, play a good verbal game, and that is ok too, and fun. Paukovich deserved what he got, and I surely don't feel sorry for him, but Mike's doing it just strikes me as stupid--nothing more.
That said, I'm not sure what a coach should do about it. I think most or all of us really like the fighting spirit Prpich brings to the ice. How to get him to play smarter and keep that spirit is probably easier said than done.