Mike Babcock is back.
The former Toronto Maple Leafs head coach is becoming a studio analyst for the NHL on NBC, for their coverage during the upcoming season in the United States. He’ll serve as a studio analyst, according to NBC.
NBC’s NHL on-air broadcasters for this season. Mike Milbury will not return. pic.twitter.com/48zWeVXtNE
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) January 11, 2021
After losing back-to-back playoff series against the Boston Bruins, as well as a turbulent start to the 2019-20 season, Babcock was fired by Leafs management more than a year ago.
When he was let go, some former players came out against the coach, detailing the different ways he was verbally abusive and manipulative during his times in Detroit and Toronto.
Babcock has since joined the University of Vermont coaching staff as a volunteer advisor.
As Babcock joins NBC, Mike Milbury, who was working for the company for 14 years, will not be brought back for this season.
Milbury was part of NBC’s coverage during the 2020 playoff bubble. However, he left the bubble after he commented on women being a distraction to the players.
NEW: Mike Milbury won’t be back as an NHL analyst for NBC Sports, @FOS has learned.
Statement from NBC Sports:
“We are grateful to Mike for all of his contributions to our coverage for 14 years, but he will not be returning to our NHL announce team. We wish him well.”
— A.J. Perez (@byajperez) January 11, 2021
Follow Channels and Categories