"No one feels worse about an officiating mistake than the official himself"

All I could think about was Jimmy Joyce

I agree with this.

I hate Milbury as much as anyone, but to blog at such length about how much of a jerk he is, and recount specific instances of him being a buffoon, seems really over the top to me.
- FlyerGuy

No, Milbury really is that big of a tool.

He gave his opinion, that's what blogs are about. And he didn't hide behind a phony online ID or make the comments behind Milbury's back. He manned up with his opinion and signed his name to it.

I guess in today's world of political correctness that offends some people.
- maaddmike

not offended at all. i'm not a Milbury fan. i find him too much to take.

that said i think this blog was a cheap shot and very much behind his back. there are ways to criticize and ways to just be overly sensational/personal.

No, Milbury really is that big of a tool.
- JimmyP

Maybe Stewart is that big of a tool? Maybe not.

either way this blog could have been crafted in a way that came off as legit criticism and not a personal hatchet job.

whatever. i'm sure milbury would not lose sleep over it. i would, however, be curious to his reaction to the piece, if he was ever made aware of it.

And he is the same way on MSNBC Sports.... he has players he likes and praises them no matter what and those he doesn't like he calls them names and mocks them endlessly. he is a horrible analyst for hockey.
- JoeSabre

Absolutely he does. But man, that one time he went off on Ovechkin was pure gold.

Maybe Stewart is that big of a tool? Maybe not.

either way this blog could have been crafted in a way that came off as legit criticism and not a personal hatchet job.

whatever. i'm sure milbury would not lose sleep over it. i would, however, be curious to his reaction to the piece, if he was ever made aware of it.
- Fountain-San

I'm guessing Milbury's response would be to go through every encounter he'd ever had with Stewart, fine one bad encounter, blow it way out of proportion, and attack him personally, all while yelling and waving his hands crazily.

Now, I don't know Milbury or Stewart personally, but Paul Stewart was one of the most well-respected officials I have ever seen, and his blogs are usually well-written with a level head. Milbury, as a player, GM, coach, analyst, has been a lunatic who needs to show that he's got the biggest balls of them all, especially when they're well protected. That said, as an unintending comedian, he's pretty hilarious.

Maybe Stewart is that big of a tool? Maybe not.

either way this blog could have been crafted in a way that came off as legit criticism and not a personal hatchet job.

whatever. i'm sure milbury would not lose sleep over it. i would, however, be curious to his reaction to the piece, if he was ever made aware of it.
- Fountain-San

I understand your what you are saying. Maybe my Islander fan hatred of Milbury clouds my judgement. However, Milbury has been an absolute jerk to many, many people over the years. I don't think its wrong for him to be publicly called on it. The blog is posted on a public forum under Mr. Stewart's name. Mr. Stewart cites specific examples of his personal interactions with Milbury. It's not an anonymous hatch job full of conjecture. I would wager almost everyone that interacted with Milbury has a similar opinion. You think it goes too far. I think it's something people already knew or suspected and I'm glad it was said.

I'm guessing Milbury's response would be to go through every encounter he'd ever had with Stewart, fine one bad encounter, blow it way out of proportion, and attack him personally, all while yelling and waving his hands crazily.

Now, I don't know Milbury or Stewart personally, but Paul Stewart was one of the most well-respected officials I have ever seen, and his blogs are usually well-written with a level head. Milbury, as a player, GM, coach, analyst, has been a lunatic who needs to show that he's got the biggest balls of them all, especially when they're well protected. That said, as an unintending comedian, he's pretty hilarious.
- jmatchett383

i guess. i don't know them either.

i would love to see a former player who was not a big fan of Stewart's
blog about it.

I understand your what you are saying. Maybe my Islander fan hatred of Milbury clouds my judgement. However, Milbury has been an absolute jerk to many, many people over the years. I don't think its wrong for him to be publicly called on it. The blog is posted on a public forum under Mr. Steward 's name. Mr. Steward cites specific examples of his personal interactions with Milbury. It's not an anonymous hatch job full of conjecture. I would wager almost everyone that interacted with Milbury has a similar opinion. You think it goes too far. I think it's something people already knew or suspected and I'm glad it was said.
- JimmyP

Stewart.

I'm sure many feel the same way about "Stewie". he's not everyone's cup of tea either. and it's not his place to call out everyone in the league he doesn't like.

Stewart.

I'm sure many feel the same way about "Stewie". he's not everyone's cup of tea either. and it's not his place to call out everyone in the league he doesn't like.
- Fountain-San

My mistake.

Its his blog, he can write whatever he wants.

Stewart.

I'm sure many feel the same way about "Stewie". he's not everyone's cup of tea either. and it's not his place to call out everyone in the league he doesn't like.
- Fountain-San

Absolutely. Can't please everyone. However, with Milbury, it seems more like Can't please almost anyone.

My mistake.

Its his blog, he can write whatever he wants.
- JimmyP

Never said he couldn't. He certainly can. Not everyone has to like it though, right?

It's not a blog about makeup calls; which Paul already in said yesterday's blog that he did not favor doing. Rather, it's a blog about what a referee does when a call is missed, and about the importance of the owning up to a mistake and having estabilished the acceptability to move on afterward.

The acceptability goes both ways. The coach (or player) who has earned acceptability and shows respect will get more respect and explanation in return. Even if the call is argued, both sides have to know when to let it go and move on.

Paul gives two differing examples of dealing after a mistakeL one with a coach who had acceptability and one with a coach that didn't (and chose to prolong the argument and resort to histrionics, in stark contrast to the other one, who made his point in a soft-spoken and respectful way).

As far as Milbury goes, he may be a polar extreme of a disliked hockey figure who didn't know how to build relationships, but not everything Paul said about him in the blog was negative. It was also noted that the two men had some productive, non-confrontational interactions over the years and said that Milbury can be engaging and friendly at times.

It's not a blog about makeup calls; which Paul already in said yesterday's blog that he did not favor doing. Rather, it's a blog about what a referee does when a call is missed, and about the importance of the owning up to a mistake and having estabilished the acceptability to move on afterward.

The acceptability goes both ways. The coach (or player) who has earned acceptability and shows respect will get more respect and explanation in return. Even if the call is argued, both sides have to know when to let it go and move on.

Paul gives two differing examples of dealing after a mistakeL one with a coach who had acceptability and one with a coach that didn't (and chose to prolong the argument and resort to histrionics, in stark contrast to the other one, who made his point in a soft-spoken and respectful way).

As far as Milbury goes, he may be a polar extreme of a disliked hockey figure who didn't know how to build relationships, but not everything Paul said about him in the blog was negative. It was also noted that the two men had some productive, non-confrontational interactions over the years and said that Milbury can be engaging and friendly at times.
- bmeltzer

i read the whole thing. thanks.

Bill, I think everyone understands the situation. Theres just a way of going about the storytelling that's being disagreed on. Some folks like it, some don't. It's a cool part about these forums, when it's handled right. If Milbury was on this site than I'd be more understanding of the article given that he'd likely respond. The way it is now, it feels underhanded. I enjoy the articles and will continue reading Paul's work. I, and some others, didn't care for this one though.

I can't believe there are people who actually are coming to the defense of Milbury. A guy who made his living by being an enforcer, beating up a fan with a shoe, having his players run Samuleson, and assaulting a minor at an ice rink. Not to mention his run as a GM. Then as a commentator rips apart players that play the enforcer role. So Stewy calls him out and people get upset? I don't get it

I can't believe there are people who actually are coming to the defense of Milbury. A guy who made his living by being an enforcer, beating up a fan with a shoe, having his players run Samuleson, and assaulting a minor at an ice rink. Not to mention his run as a GM. Then as a commentator rips apart players that play the enforcer role. So Stewy calls him out and people get upset? I don't get it
- Stripes77

Hey Stripes. I don't know if this comment was directed at me, but I have been critical of Paul for this post so I'll at least respond for my thinking of it. I am in no way defending Milbury and I don't think anyone else has. The issue being taken is the approach that Paul took. Paul is an excellent writer and I look forward to reading his articles every day, but I do not like anyone being run over the coals when they are not able to defend themselves. Paul, I believe, went overboard. Nobody has to like my opinion, but this is a forum that is built on opinions. Let everyone have one and we can debate it.

And for the record, my name is Chris Wilkes. I live in Knoxville. I've seen some posts about people not liking the anonymous talker, so I wanted to be clear I'm not one of them. My son, when he was 5 picked the name above my comments and he still likes it there, so its sticking around for a while.

Hey Stripes. I don't know if this comment was directed at me, but I have been critical of Paul for this post so I'll at least respond for my thinking of it. I am in no way defending Milbury and I don't think anyone else has. The issue being taken is the approach that Paul took. Paul is an excellent writer and I look forward to reading his articles every day, but I do not like anyone being run over the coals when they are not able to defend themselves. Paul, I believe, went overboard. Nobody has to like my opinion, but this is a forum that is built on opinions. Let everyone have one and we can debate it.
- Topshelf Mountain

i agree. I'm surprised by the depth/amount of the criticism. seems a bit much.

Stewy: I had a nice chat with Kenny Holland tonight about his days as a rookie goalie with the NAHL Broome Dusters in 1976 in which you were teammates. You can see it at http://www.hockeybuzz.com...SLAP-SHOT-goalie/86/57569

Bill, I think everyone understands the situation. Theres just a way of going about the storytelling that's being disagreed on. Some folks like it, some don't. It's a cool part about these forums, when it's handled right. If Milbury was on this site than I'd be more understanding of the article given that he'd likely respond. The way it is now, it feels underhanded. I enjoy the articles and will continue reading Paul's work. I, and some others, didn't care for this one though.
- Topshelf Mountain

Believe me, as someone who has been associated with pro hockey now for almost half a century, Stewy's comments about Mike Milbury here are mild compared to some of the feuds and animus that I have seen and heard between players, teams, managers, and other hockey people and organizations over the history of the game. I have heard Mike Milbury (with whom I have worked from time to time on some NBC telecasts) say far worse himself about others. Hockey, like politics, is not "beanbag", but is a highly competitive contact sport in which emotions and feelings run high in the heat of the battle. So don't worry about Mike -- or Stewy. They both can more then take care of themselves.

Stewy: I had a nice chat with Kenny Holland tonight about his days as a rookie goalie with the NAHL Broome Dusters in 1976 in which you were teammates. You can see it at http://www.hockeybuzz.com...SLAP-SHOT-goalie/86/57569
- iScoop

Nice job, Scoop. Ken and I were roommates with the Dusters.

Enjoyed the read b.c I am in Islanders fan and obviously hate Milbury. But, this was a piece about how a ref should handle a miss call and turned into a Mike Milbury bashing session.

I thought this was a great blog, and especially appropriate for the question he was asked. He simply gave a real-life example of what happens when calls are made, and the on-ice/off-ice implications for such calls. Some experiences are good, some are bad.

This was by no means a behind the back jab at Milbury. With his poor reputation, I honestly don't understand why he still holds a job related to hockey. He deserves all the bashing from anyone who wants to talk/write about it. Some people aren't as privileged to have a national audience to trash talk anyone they want with no question, so internet blogs are as good as it gets.

But I'm not surprised since it's NBC Universal. Look who they hire at MSNBC.

No, Milbury really is that big of a tool.
- JimmyP

This !!!!!