I didn't think he would give in, but he did. Earlier today, Mike Milbury stepped down as the coach of the New York Islanders. He will remain as GM. I am so depressed.
Apparently, Mike has been contemplating and planning this for some time now, according to his son, whom I had to break the news to a little while ago. We both agreed that the team probably will not get any better after this. I can practically guarantee it. Then maybe all these Nazis will finally see that it WAS NOT Mike but THE PLAYERS who are to blame!
In the meantime, fare thee well, Mike. *sniff*
The Anti-Milbury Brigade has reached an all-time low.
Add Islanders sportswriter Marc Berman to the list, and about 12,000 Islander fans. Last night at Nassau Colosseum, as the Isles got spanked for the 11th straight time, this time by the Panthers, chants of "Mike Must Go!" echoed through the building. It absolutely amazes me how people can blame a coach before they even look at the players.
Everyone is now expecting the GM to fire the coach - or rather, for Mike to fire himself. I think Mike should stay if for no other reason than to just piss everyone off! After the game, when Trevor Linden was asked whether or not he thinks Mike should step down, he accurately replied: "I think it's the guys in the locker room. You could have any coach you want behind the bench. But you have to have better commitment than we had tonight to win." Absolutely! Mike's not the one out there scoring goals or stopping slapshots. He's merely behind the bench telling his players to do it! WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT FROM HIM??!!
Marc Berman obscurely blamed Mike's kids, suggesting that Mike took his big double-duty contract so he could pay for their education. Ooooo!! How selfish of him. Yes, let's blame his children - that's a new low we haven't reached yet.
