#Mike Milbury won’t call more NHL playoff games after insensitive remark

The NBC Sports analyst said Saturday that he won’t be calling anymore Stanley Cup playoff games this season after receiving backlash Thursday night for saying the players were doing well in the bubble because women weren’t there to distract them.

“In light of the attention caused by my recent remark, I have decided to step away from my role at NBC Sports for the remainder of the Stanley Cup Playoffs,” Milbury said, according to The Athletic. “I do not want my presence to interfere with the athletes as they try to win the greatest trophy in sports.”

The Toronto Star’s Bruce Arthur, who first broke the news, also said he was told that prior to the remarks Milbury was scheduled to call games beyond the first round, meaning the decision to exit may not have solely been Milbury’s. NBC Sports said Friday while pulling him from that night’s Flyers-Canadiens games that they were “disappointed about Mike’s insensitive comment and addressed it with him.”

While calling the Islanders-Capitals game on Thursday, the former coach came under fire when discussing the benefits of the bubble with John Forslund, the play-by-play man.

After Forslund said the bubble enhances team chemistry, Milbury replied: “Not even any women here to disrupt your concentration.”

Milbury also apologized Friday for the insensitive remark.

“I sincerely apologize for making the comment. It was not my intention to disrespect anyone,” he said in a statement. “I was trying to be irreverent and took it a step too far. It was a regrettable mistake that I take seriously.”