May 22 The Weekly Backcheck - 05/22/2011

In an age where fans are crying out for teams and the league to use "better safe than sorry" logic in regards to concussions, I just don't understand where Georges Laraque gets the nerve to insinuate that the Rangers are partly responsible for Derek Boogaard's death by asking him to take the rest of the season off despite being cleared by doctors to return.

• The clause in Alexei Yemelin's contract that allows him to go to the KHL as opposed to the AHL on his two-way deal worries me somewhat. Perhaps it's just a way for Yemelin to make more money than a meager AHL salary would provide but with the difficulties the team had getting the young Russian over here in the first place, I'll always have it in the back of my mind that if he does get sent overseas, he won't come back. Hopefully Pierre Gauthier has received assurances from Yemelin and agent Don Meehan that this won't happen.

• When Tyler Seguin was enjoying his coming out party on Tuesday night, the overwhelming reaction was "what took Claude Julien so long?". Let's not pretend like Seguin had done enough to cement a regular spot in the lineup during the regular season. This is simply a case of a kid getting an opportunity and running with it. So easy to play Monday morning quarterback in a case like this.

• Ben Eager is pretty much everything that is wrong with hockey. I understand the Sharks are trying to play with an edge but an obvious attempt to kill Daniel Sedin? Blatantly jawing at Roberto Luongo after scoring to pull your team within four? Really, Ben?

• Glad to hear plans are in the works for Edmonton to get a new arena. I didn't like the whispers of the Oilers possibly moving given such a passionate fan base the team has and their rich history in the city. There are some good years in the near future for the Oilers and the people of Edmonton deserve to experience those good years.

• I never like to see a player leave a game in the manner Aaron Rome did Friday night but I don't think the hit by Jamie McGinn deserved any further discipline than the five-minute major he got for boarding. There certainly was no head shot involved, it was simply a devastating shoulder-to-shoulder check. The NHL got it right.

• Incredible comeback by the Lightning on Saturday afternoon. Dwayne Roloson was atrocious and it showed real character that Tampa was able to battle back the way they did. I don't envy Guy Boucher's goaltending decision for game five because honestly, I have no idea if he should go with Roloson or Mike Smith.

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