Mike Milbury Out at NBC
NBC announced a few changes to their coverage of the NHL this season, and the most notable name missing from the list is Mike Milbury.
In his place, former Red Wings and Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock will join Patrick Sharp and others for pre and in-game commentary.
The news that Milbury is gone means we won’t have to listen to him whine about the lack of fighting any more. Besides…
Eddie Olczyk will appear in both studio and return to his color commentating role. NBC did not name a firm replacement for Doc Emrick to primarily work with Edzo on national broadcasts. John Forslund will call the Blackhawks’ season opener at Tampa with Olczyk on Wednesday night.
Not really surprising, good, be to see Olczyk and Sharp get bigger roles now.
Not a surprise. Babcock should be good in front of the camera. Even though he seems like a stroke.
Babcock has had his stock as a coach take a big hit lately…at least now he won’t be able to order some rookie to list what is wrong with his teammates and then go tell those players what he said.
I can’t imagine what good could come from driving a wedge into your locker room that way.
So he thinks he is smarter than he really is: perfect media material.
I can’t remember what Milbury said. But they didn’t deem what he said was politically correct if I recall. Anyway I really liked him. He always had that edge to him as a player, coach and analyst. Oh well life moves on.
Mike Milbury was a grumpy old man who needed to go away. Mission accomplished. Get me some younger voices in there. I love Callahan. Sharpie’s been terrific. Milbury added nothing more than “get off my lawn” to every game.
I thought Milbury was fine. He brought something different than the vanilla bland commentary we get now. Babcock is a surprise, but I guarantee he will be interesting. I played bantam hockey against him growing up. I think he realizes he outsmarted himself trying to get info from Marner; he’s too smart to make mistakes like that again…ego got in the way.
You thought Milbury was bad,wait till you get a load of an arrogant condescending Babcock.
Glad to see Milbury….bury-ed. I don’t really feel that he added anything substantial to the program. Plus he just had this mean or crabby edge to him that was off-putting.
I will miss his sparring sessions with JR though.
How about they eliminate Steve Konroy from the local broadcast. He’s as dry as unbuttered toast, would rather have Burish.
Why isn’t Pat Foley doing the Blackhawk opener? Did Bowshit want him gone too?
Babcock is a tool ,what are you thinking?
I enjoyed Milbury and Sharpie does a nice job. Milbury must have irritated some PC snowflake executive somewhere. Bottom line is ….happy to see hockey back !!
Does it really matter who does the hawks games? They are brutal. Babcock gets runout of Toronto because he abused players and he gets a job yet milbury gets fired because he makes an off handed remark about wives not being at the bubble. People to lighten up or turn in their man card
Milbury is a Flatlander.
Sharpy went to VT he knows what that is.
Milbury was just plain rude. Never liked him. All I can say is I can’t wait for PK Subang to start his broadcast career. He did a stint on TSN here in Canada and was by far the most entertaining hockey commentator . We are pretty lucky up here , James Duthie is awesome not to mention Ray Ferraro, Bob MacKenzie, Darren Dreger, Gino Reda, the list goes on and on. I just hope Milbury doesn’t show up here!
Yeah!!! Cancel Milbury!!! A guy that, while being a clown, still believed in keeping at least SOME of the old school values in hockey. Yeah he was not the brightest, but the fact that turds like Tab laud the move is all you need to know.
Bring on the full cages and the soccer mom wagons!
Good choice on Mike Babcock.He knows the game and just look at his record.
I am glad that Elliot Friedman or Ron Maclean never got picked.They talk a good game according to themselves but no nothing about the game.
I hope Gord Millar and Chris Cuthbert gets considered for Doc Emmerick’s job and not Jim Hughson.
From a not Chicago fan perspective, good riddance and take the rest of the crew with you. NBC should have some knowledgeable commentators, and not Blackhawk loyalists that whine when they don’t get the calls there way, to give honest opinions from a non-partisan view. I love hockey, and I have my team, ( I watch games not from my team) and I want an honest opinion of how they play.
LUCIANA: As a Devils fan, I also cannot wait for P.K. Subban to start his broadcast career.
Have a good show tommorrow Kenny and Pierre and Hohnny and Edzo and Boosch
One thing about Milbury was that he was not opposed to calling out players. He really called out Ovechkin one time over soft defensive play and said that his lack of effort was a sin given his talent. There is room for that in broadcasting. He could be annoying. There comes a time when you do get tired of listening to the same people. Kind of like I will always believe the Hawks got tired of listening to Q. It was probably time, but Milbury was not all bad.
Sharpie started out a bit unsure of himself but has gelled in to a really perceptive, articulate analyst. He has insights and communicates them well.
It won’t be the same without Doc but Forslund and Kenny Albert are both good.
Let’s play some hockey!!
Konroy doesnt get overly excited but he does a great job and is sound in his analysis, dont expect him or anyone to be excellent all the time. Milbury was great. I hope he finds his way back. Not a good GM.