NHL on NBC Analysts Mike Milbury and Jeremy Roenick in Heated Exchange Last Night.

There was a fascinating moment of live television last night on NBC Sports Network as NHL on NBC hockey analysts Mike Milbury and Jeremy Roenick had a heated exchange about a hit to the head that took place during the Dallas Stars-Pittsburgh Penguins game. The argument about Eric Nystrom's roughing penalty on Kris Letang was secondary to the emotion on display as it appeared Milbury and JR were about to come to blows. 

The root of the animosity between them goes back to 2010 just after Roenick's former team the Chicago Blackhawks won their first Stanley Cup in 49 years. JR wears his heart on his sleeve and in a moment of real genuine emotion he started crying, talking through his tears about not having won the Cup with Chicago and how happy he was that Blackhawks fans finally get to celebrate a championship after waiting for so long. 

But then Milbury ruined what was a rare moment of heartfelt emotion on national television by saying "well I didn't win the Cup either, but I'm not crying." It made Milbury look like an unempathetic jerk. Milbury has a reputation as being an obnoxious blowhard. He even was accused of assaulting a 12-year-old boy during a fight with his son. The case was dismissed. For some reason NBC keeps bringing Milbury back. There have been times after seeing him appear on TSN that I thought he was banished to Canada. But then I see him on NBC again putting down his fellow analysts like JR and ridiculing some of my favorite players like Alex Ovechkin, who he says has a "low hockey IQ." In other words, Milbury doesn't think Ovie is very smart. Of course it is easy to criticize a player like Ovechkin from a studio in Bristol, Connecticut. 

It's not that Milbury doesn't make good points sometimes. In fact, tonight he was on the right side of the argument regarding the Nystrom-Letang hit and in his concern for all the concussions in the NHL. The problem is how he comes across as arrogant and domineering. Kudos to Roenick for challenging Milbury and standing up for himself. Keep it up JR. You've got millions of us rooting for you.

Click here to watch video of tonight's Milbury-Roenick rumble courtesy of Deadspin.

- Josh Marks

Back to Hitting for Sid the Kid

Sorry Jeremy Roenick but yes this is another Sid the Kid update. Thursday marked the first practice in which Crosby was cleared for contact since the January incident that has kept him out. Clearly an up beat Crosby admitted, “It’s exciting. It’s hard to be patient at this point. Getting closer. Just want to make sure I respond well.”

 

Which Sidney will we see? A superstar who hasn’t missed a beat? A not what once was Crosby? Well we will have to wait and see but luckily that will come sooner than later. Concussions are a tricky injury to predict the recovery from which has become more than apparent in today’s NHL. A common statement from all players coming back from this injury, will see what happens after the first real hit. Regardless, the majority of hockey fans feel he will continue to dominate like the streak we saw him on last season before the injury.

 

With so many quality players suffering career ending or significantly reduced productivity from concussions this fear is real and is not new in our game. Watching the careers of players like Eric Lindros and, what appear to be evident in, Marc Savard is tough to witness as it leaves you feeling that you missed out on something truly special. Only time will tell but I can guarantee I will be watching.

 

By: Liam Niven