Mike Milbury will be the main color analyst alongside Mike Emrick on NBC's NHL broadcasts while Ed Olczyk "recovers from colon cancer surgery," according to Kevin Allen of USA TODAY. Milbury and Emrick "will be together" for the first time Oct. 4 for Blues-Penguins on NBCSN. Milbury has "carved his niche in hockey broadcasting with a bombastic style that both excites and infuriates viewers at various times." Because he has "only worked eight or 10 games as an analyst in the booth, he’s not sure what his style will be in his new role." It is "unknown when Olczyk ... will return to the booth, but Milbury said he has received a schedule through New Year’s Day." Milbury said he believes the challenge will be deciding “when do I jump in and when do I pull back?” Allen noted Milbury's "hot takes are usually the spice" of NBC's pre-game and post-game shows. He is the "difference-maker in that environment." But he "sees this role differently." NBC Sports Exec Producer Sam Flood "sees this as a way to let Milbury provide his unique perspectives in 'real time.'" But "don’t believe for a second that Milbury will soften his analysis to the point it won’t be recognizable" (USATODAY.com, 9/26). Flood said that the plan for Olczyk’s return to work is "whatever Olczyk wants, or needs, it to be." USA TODAY'a Allen notes Olczyk still has "weeks of chemotherapy ahead of him." Flood: "The seat is always open. And if he just wants to be in a confined space and be in a controlled environment, he can come in the studio any night he wants" (USATODAY.com, 9/27).
