See ya, Mike Milbury

(OH, THIS IS GETTING CONFUSING): Looking at Eric's permalink, and the Star's speakout area where it landed, the one that i NEVER look at 'cause it's usually full of Nigerian oil millionaires looking for somewhere to park their money, I see this came in THURSDAY. My mistake. So now we have THREE bobbleheads to award, TWO of them already spoken for -- Eric, and Gary. Congrats Eric! Way to go Gary! I'm going to stop now. It's been a bad week for me and computers. *head slap*)

(LATER ON FRIDAY): Well, Eric McErlain over at the ever-entertaining Off Wing Opinion has put his name in the hat for one of these here bobbleheads up for grabs -- and it's going to take some doing to top this one, but you've got all weekend, kids, so go to it. Check out Eric's shot at his blog here. Meantime, here's a taste:

CW: Peter, Lorne, Butch, Bill, Steve or Rick, what does it matter? You never seem to be able to get along with any of your playmates. [Shakes his head] That's it, I've made up my mind. If you can't share it's time to grow up and let somebody else play with the wooby, Michael!
MM: [SCREAMS and CRIES] NOOOOOOOOOO!
CW: [STERN] Stop it Michael, there's no crying in ice hockey and you know that. Besides, you've had the wooby for 10 years now and you should give somebody else a chance.
MM: [SNIFFLES and WIPES HIS NOSE] I'm sorry.
CW: That's ok Michael. If I can forgive you for the Yashin contract I can forgive anything. Did you really think you would play with the wooby forever?

(FRIDAY POSTSCRIPT PRESCRIPT: I'm going to keep this one open till Monday, 'cause I found another bobblehead. One of 'em has Gary's name on it, but there's still one more up grabs so people, c'mon. Send in your entries, and have a fun weekend.)

A couple of links, 'cause I'm in a New York state of mind:

AP PHOTO

Wang to co-owner: "That young man Mike. What'll he do when he grows up?"

With reports flying about last night that Mike Milbury was ready to fire another coach, the Islanders as usual have added a novel twist.

Yes, Steve Stirling is out and assistant Brad Shaw is in. But that's Milbury who will step down as well, once a replacement is found, and take a job sharpening pencils and serving as a senior vice-president in the Charles Wang sports operation. Here's owner Wang, announcing the end of Milbury as GM with this lump-in-the-throat confession:

“Even prior to our current slump, Mike and I had been discussing the next phase for him. I have often challenged him about what he wanted to do when he grows up. Yesterday, Mike came to me and selflessly said that the time had come for a change in the general manager’s seat."

Wouldn't you love to have been in on those discussions between daddy Charlie and young Mike?

Tell ya what. Send me your best Mikey and Daddy "conversation" -- put 'em in the drawing room having a heart-to-heart, or in the car as Mikey is getting a ride to hockey practice, or wherever you wanna put 'em discussing whatever it is l'il Mike wants to do when he grows up.

I'll publish the best of 'em tomorrow in this space -- and to the best one (I'll be the judge of that), I've got an official Team Canada Chris Pronger bobblehead doll to award. Knock yourself out.

Oh, and just in case you think that's all that's going on in New York, take the Long Island railroad across the East River and into Manhattan, and they're putting on a big show, Broadway, or at least MSG, giving its regards to Mark Messier after starting it off with a box of Kleenex last night, even the Knicks' Larry Brown getting in on the act. For a selection of links that'll keep you readin' and weepin' till tonight, look no further than Hockeybird.

(C.Y.)

Comments

[Gary]

Charles: Mike, as you know, I am worth kazillions of dollars but because of your work I get a huge tax write off for the Islanders. Thanks.
Mike: Uh, thanks Charles, I guess.
Charles: Mike, what exactly were you thinking in giving away Spezza for that soft, overpaid floater Yashin ? Did you not scout him in the Leafs/Senators playoff series since we were not playing, again?
Mike: Charles, I was hoping he would do better in a lower pressure environment.
Charles: Mike, I don't want to insult your intelligence, but weren't Luongo, McCabe, Redden and half the #$%&# Canadian Olympic team on our team at one time?
Mike: Well it's hard to project how players will turn out, Charles.
Charles: Project this Mike, see ya, adios, bye bye, sayonarra, au revoir, and you know those pictures you have with me and that sheep, well they are worthless now because I'll just say they are digitally enhanced when you show them to the press.

[Jlo]

Sorry, what's a wooby? Is that like an asshat?

[Carla]

'Sorry, what's a wooby? Is that like an asshat?'

Different, Jlo.

http://www.usavem.com/category/dollsbymaker.wooby

[adam]

I believe the LIRR goes under the East River and not across it.

[Ernie Rookard]

Now that Milbury is out it would be a good idea for the Isles to bring back their best talent scout Gordie Clark. He always could pick them only for Mike to lose them.