Jun 06 The Weekly Backcheck - 06/05/11

• As news this week kept coming out about Kirk Muller jetting all around North America to interview for head coaching jobs, the reality is setting in that for a second time, he'll be leaving the Canadiens organization. Muller was my first hockey hero and a few months ago, I had the opportunity to finally meet my childhood idol. It may sound corny but to finally get the chance to thank him for '93 and tell him face-to-face how much I admire him was something I'll never forget. It's sad to watch him leave but I'm happy that he'll get the chance to take his coaching talents to lucky team.

• I'm relieved more than anything that the Habs opted to re-sign Hal Gill. Most fans realize how important Gill is not only on the ice but in the locker room and the hope was that the front office realized that as well. I was perhaps hoping for a pay cut you it's hard to argue with Gill earning the same salary he's made the last two years.

• I couldn't be happier to see the NHL back in Winnipeg. Things in the league just feel a little more "right" than they did last week with a team going to a larger, more devoted and passionate fan base. As a citizen of a city that has lost a professional sports franchise I was a fan of, I feel for the core of passionate Thrashers fans but in the end, Atlanta was a market who needed a staged kidnapping of their mascot to fill their arena. In Winnipeg, the team will be a part of the city's soul. You can't say that about Atlanta.

• What a story Alex Burrows has been in the Stanley Cup Final. Burrows went from being widely assumed to be suspended for game two to the hero scoring the opening and overtime goals. I'm not sure I believe in karma or not but for the Bruins fans who are crying foul at Burrows' mere participation in the game, keep in mind that Nathan Horton should never have been allowed to play game seven of the Eastern Conference Final, let alone score the deciding goal.

• The news of Colin Campbell stepping down as the NHL's disciplinarian couldn't be met with more happiness from myself. Those of you who read this blog know I'm not a fan of his inconsistent and inexplicable decisions. Campbell's replacement Brendan Shanahan will take over the role and as someone who isn't very far removed from the game, he should do an infinitely better job.

• Read a lot of criticism this week about the NHL starting the Stanley Cup Final late and I somewhat agree. It couldn't have started last weekend as the short rest following Boston's game seven win over Tampa would've put them at a competitive disadvantage. It wouldn't have been wise to start Tuesday and go head-to-head with the NBA Finals. By my research, Rogers Arena wasn't booked Monday so I would have started the series Monday, held game two Wednesday and game three Saturday.

• Looking at the issue on the flip side, whatever the NHL may have lost in momentum by waiting five days to start the series so late, they may have gained in quality of play considering each team had a chance to heal up a little bit.

• I'm not excusing Alex Burrows for biting Patrice Bergeron's finger at all but the logic should be pretty clear here. If you don't want to get bit, don't stick your fingers in a guy's mouth. I figured Bergeron wouldn't have gotten through kindergarten without learning that lesson.

• I'm calling it now. If the Rangers sign Brad Richards and can remain relatively healthy next year (which I know is a big question mark with Marian Gaborik under contract), they're my dark horse pick to win the Eastern Conference. I like the young core they have developing at the same time, love their blue line and Henrik Lundqvist is about as good as it gets in nets.

• Don't get me wrong, Drew Stafford is a nice player but I'm not at all a fan of the four-year, $16 million deal he signed with Buffalo. Stafford had largely been a disappointment up until this year having never scored more than 20 goals in any of his first four seasons. Maybe his breakout year of 31 goals may be a sign of things to come but I remain skeptical.

About Will Martinez

Will Martinez runs the 'Hey, My Name is Will' blog and is a contributor for TheFranchise.ca. You can follow Will on Twitter @heymynameiswill

Tags: Alex Burrows \ Brad Richards \ Colin Campbell \ Drew Stafford \ Hal Gill \ Kirk Muller \ Manitoba \ NHL \ Stanley Cup \ Winnipeg