Against all better judgement, I actually like Mike Milbury.
...Being from the Boston area and being a Bruins fan allows me to say things like that out loud, like admitting that you love those pepper and sausage gut-bombs sold in front of the Garden, but even I understand why Long Island fans have a very different view of our ex-player/coach/assistant GM.
To Islanders fans, Milbury is Hannibal Lecter, Darth Vader, Kaiser Soze, and the "Dude, your gettin' a Dell!" guy all wrapped into one New England-accented and Boston-lovin' package.
For those of you that may have missed this period in Islanders history...it didn't go well.
After watching today's game (a 7-2 rout by the Bruins), I can certainly understand the Long Islanders' point of view.
I saw a team that was leaning on one of the same guys the Bruins leaned on, only several years earlier, in Bill Guerin. I saw an equally ancient Doug Weight. I saw a career backup goalie (pulled after four goals) in Joey MacDonald, and I saw a defenseman: Brendan Witt. Besides that, not a whole lot of anything else.
This is Garth Snow's team now (sort of). You may remember Snow as being one of those parade float-grade goaltenders that was smarter than most. When the pads were downsized, he quit playing. Imagine the saved frustration if Andrew Raycroft took this line of reasoning.
He was also made the Islanders GM almost instantly; it was widely considered an upgrade from Mike Milbury.
...let that sentence sit for a moment and consider that.
Oh yeah, thing were that weird out on the Island.
The bruised and battered shrapnel of Milbury's influence is still being felt to this day; one had only to watch today's game to get an idea of the carnage wrought to a once-proud franchise. Only Mike Keenan could have possibly done more damage as a GM, and he would have needed a few cases of Red Bull to trade away so many money players with such enthusiasm as "Mad Mike."
The All-Star list of players that have been shuttled through Long Island is impressive, equally impressive as the long-term duds signed to remain in this hockey alternate universe.
But Milbury survived, and there he sits, back with the team he started with. A blow-dried cheerleader for the Boston Bruins. The Bruins are rolling, a young team with seemingly endless possibility, built to thrive and survive in the modern NHL landscape.
And there sit the Islanders, playing in a crumbling arena in front of minuscule numbers of fans—a one-time Stanley Cup dynasty that is now under threats and rumors of folding or moving. A team ill-equipped to succeed in the modern era and possessing no solid hope of achieving success. Only the Panthers may be in a lower level of the franchise food-chain, a team that has won nothing in its history.
"OK," you say. "We get it, Mike screwed up. So why do you claim to like him?"
...Glad you asked.
Mike's a dinosaur, a throwback to those grittier days, and he has a mouth that can safely dock a Jet-Ski. Mikes mouth just moves on its own, independent of rational or politically correct thought, it has a life of its own.
Mike loves the Bruins, but he's one of few that has no fear of critiquing the Bruins. When Kessel forgot that he had to play defense, Mike was all over him. When Chara was playing lousy under Dave Lewis, Mike called him out. When Thomas made everyone nervous with his flopping play, Mike said Thomas needed to "calm down."
Each announcement was unpopular with the fans, but each assessment was correct.
I'm not saying that Milbury was solely responsible for these players changes in style and focus, but he had no fear of saying the Emperor had no clothes.
Mike is funny. Few can match his biting, sarcastic wit (my favorite type of wit, by the way). He doesn't hold back and he's even admitted (if only once or twice) to being wrong.
I like Mike with the Bruins. Just so long as he is never, ever, under any circumstances, given the tiller to the boat.
Just stay on the crow's nest, Mike, and tell us what you see. We have other people to steer the boat.
9 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Ronnybrook 7 months ago
Awesome perspective. VERY well written.
Yes Sir, I like it. POTD...
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Revo Boulanger 7 months ago
Thank You. Mike always struck me as a complex individual who's reach exceeded his grasp. I appreciate the input.
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Brian Gaylord 7 months ago
Very good stuff, Revo. Though not the greatest skater nor a finesse guy in his playing days, he won over Bruins fans with his hard work on the ice.
There's fine writing here and the best line -- "Dude, your gettin' a Dell!" guy -- is a gem.
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Revo Boulanger 7 months ago
No, Mike wasn't about skill or finesse. I always thought of him as O'Reilly's "Igor", Always ready to stand by the mad Irishman and maybe even fan the flames on his own.
Remember when he bolted after being given the opportunity to "apprentice" under Sinden? Imagine how different Bruins history COULD have been! He just got the reigns to the Isles too quick after his college experiment.
BTW: Thanks for the support and backing, especially of my...ahem...unusual wit and perspective.
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Was El-Halabi 7 months ago
I can see why you'd like Mike - and I can see why thousands of fans hate him. Regardless of your viewpoint, the article was an entertaining read.
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Revo Boulanger 7 months ago
Isn't that always the way with complex people though?
I think Mike would rather be loved or hated, he'd have little patience for those in between. I just hope he lays off that whole "Don Cherry Lite" thing he seems to go for occasionally.
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Chris TMC 7 months ago
Entertaining for Leafs and Bruins fans...
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Revo Boulanger 7 months ago
Thank You!
With all the turmoil and wackiness sorrounding the Leafs over the past few years, it's high-praise to be able to keep a Leafs fan entertained.
Best of luck with Mr. Burke.
He's another personality who's almost as mercurial as Mr. Milbury (granted, for very different reasons).
Hmmm, maybe it's time for that Harry Sinden retrospective I've been contemplating....
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S L 7 months ago
Have had the luxury to know Mike intimately from 2006 to his departure off the Island, I will say while his management skills are suspect (being kind), there are certain qualities about him, which you don't find everyday. People think I was nutz to fall in love with him, but the person is far different than the GM
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