NHL analyst Mike Milbury is OUT at NBC five months after making an 'insulting' on-air joke about players focusing in the league bubble because there weren't 'any women' around

NHL analyst Mike Milbury is out at NBC Sports five months after making an on-air comment that many found to be sexist.

Milbury had been with the network since 2008 after coaching the Bruins and serving as coach and general manager of the Islanders. He stepped away from broadcasting during the 2020 playoffs after drawing widespread criticism for saying players should be more focused in the league's coronavirus bubble because there were 'not even any women here to disrupt your concentration.'

'It's an unfortunate situation with Mike,' executive producer Sam Flood said Monday. 'Mike is a friend. He's a unique talent, and he's given a lot to NBC and the NHL over the years. It was time to separate for a number of reasons.'

Asked later for details, Flood declined to elaborate. 

Milbury's ouster is the second in less than a year for the NHL on NBC, which parted ways with Jeremy Roenick in February after suspending the former player for making inappropriate, sexual comments about coworkers. 

Mike Milbury pictured during a 2013 NBC Sports broadcast. He was let go by NBC on Monday

Milbury's comment was made during an August game between the New York Islanders and Washington Capitals from the league's bubble in Toronto. During a discussion among the broadcasters about the environment in the bubble, Milbury said there are 'not even any women here to disrupt your concentration.' 

The NHL reprimanded the 68-year-old Milbury publicly in a statement at the time. 

'The National Hockey League condemns the insensitive and insulting comment that Mike Milbury made during last night's broadcast and we have communicated our feelings to NBC,' read the statement. 

'The comment did not reflect the NHL's values and commitment to making our game more inclusive and welcoming to all.' 

Milbury apologized for his comments at the time, saying that it was not his 'intention to disrespect anyone.'

'I was trying to be irreverent and took it a step too far,' he said. 'It was a regrettable mistake that I take seriously.'

Milbury, known as a fiery coach with the Bruins and Islanders, was removed from subsequent broadcasts in the aftermath of his comment.

Many social media users described Milbury's remarks as 'offensive' and 'outdated.'

'This kind of misogyny reinforces sports as a boys club. If you can't see that, then you're part of the problem,' one user complained.

However, others claimed it was being blown out of proportion. 

'It's Friday, August 21, 2020 and we must find something. -ANYTHING! - to get offended about today. It would be a waste of a day if we couldn't find something trivial to get bent out of shape about,' one person mocked. 

It¿s 2020, and yet... ¿¿ pic.twitter.com/d74TMlhkkP

— Alison (@AlisonL) August 21, 2020

It¿s 2020, and yet... ¿¿ pic.twitter.com/d74TMlhkkP

Milbury's ouster is the second in less than a year for the NHL on NBC, which parted ways with Jeremy Roenick in February after suspending the former player for making inappropriate, sexual comments about coworkers

Milbury will be replaced by another fiery former coach, Mike Babcock. 

Babcock, an NHL head coach for 17 seasons, joins NBC Sports more than a year after being fired by Toronto. The 2008 Stanley Cup-winning coach came under fire late last year for tactics that some considered to be mental abuse.

Flood said a representative for Babcock reached out about doing some work during the playoffs, and the network decided in light of pandemic protocols to wait until this season. Asked twice on a season-opening conference call about the decision to hire Babcock, Flood gave terse, brief answers.

'We looked at everything,' Flood said. 'We've had a full process of conversations, as we do with anyone we bring in onto the team.'

Flood said he got to know Babcock more than a decade ago and called him 'a fascinating, insightful man. I think he'll be a great addition to the team.'

NBC isn't naming a replacement for Mike 'Doc' Emrick after he retired from his role as the top play-by-play announcer. Kenny Albert, John Forslund and Brendan Burke headline the group in 2021.

Former U.S. women's hockey star AJ Mleczko will again be a game analyst, with current player Kendall Coyne Schofield making recurring appearances in the booth while also serving as player development coach for Chicago.

'I'm so excited to be able to call these games that I'll be able to,' Mleczko said. 'I'm also thrilled to be back with the NBC team.'

Milbury will be replaced by another fiery former coach, Mike Babcock. Babcock, an NHL head coach for 17 seasons, joins NBC Sports more than a year after being fired by Toronto. The 2008 Stanley Cup-winning coach came under fire late last year for tactics that some considered to be mental abuse