Mike Milbury as Rangers coach? No, Islanders blog just trolling NYR fans

The New York Rangers are in the market for a head coach, and fans have been speculating it could be anyone from Lindy Ruff to Mark Messier to other dark horse candidates.

NBC Sports analyst Mike Milbury isn’t one of those candidates.

At least we don’t think so, unless Glen Sather is off his meds.

He coached the Boston Bruins and New York Islanders for parts of six seasons during the 1990s, compiling a record of 146-160-45 and making the playoffs in both his Bostonian seasons. When you haven’t coached in two lockouts-time, one assumes you won’t be a front-burner candidate in 2013.

Which is why Lighthouse Hockey, an Islanders blog, decided to have a little fun with the idea that the man who ruined their franchise the former Islanders GM/coach had been hired by the Rangers. From LH, an SB Nation blog:

But both Sather and Milbury are betting on the latter's long stay in the NHL as being the missing ingredient for getting New York over the hump.

"Mike and I have known each other for a long, long time," Sather said after giving a vintage Rangers warm-up jacket to his new coach. "That's not to say we've always seen eye-to-eye. But he and I are from the old school, so to speak, and we know what kind of team we want. One that's solid defensively, has depth on offense and never backs down from physical play. That's why I made the call and brought him on board."

"If hard work, commitment and loyalty mean old-fashioned, then yes I am," said Milbury.

The piece wasn’t outwardly satirical, but c’mon: Rangers warm-up jacket? Like this one from his Islanders days, perhaps?

So no, Mike Milbury wasn’t hired as Rangers head coach, leaving him to continue his enlightening constructive criticism on NBC Sports Network.

But that didn’t stop Rangers fans and other hockey nuts on social media from totally freaking the [expletive] out …

If the Rangers hired Mike Milbury as coach, I will personally beat Sather with a shoe.

— Judson (@SportsLordNYC17) June 3, 2013

I don't believe there is any truth to the Milbury rumor .... He is a moron and there is a reason why he has not coached in years !! — Joe Clewell (@BlueShirts10) June 3, 2013

Mike Milbury is the now the head coach of your very own New York Rangers, The torrential downfall of this organization begins now #NYRetrads

— Nicholas Anzelone (@_anzelone_) June 3, 2013

Are the New York Rangers mentally challenged? Mike Milbury? You picked Mike Milbury over Tippett and Ruff? Enjoy another horrible season

— Tyler Domenico (@_tdome) June 3, 2013

If they bring Milbury to New York I will jump off a cliff

— Jamie (@jlcwes) June 3, 2013

Mike Milbury is the new Rangers coach.Typical Rangers move right there.Terrible analyst and won't do much better as a coach #Rangers

— Paul (@Palutz59) June 3, 2013

If these Mike Milbury to coach the Rangers rumors are true I may never watch another hockey game until he's fired

— Ryan Schutte (@Schutte29) June 3, 2013

@jimcerny im hearing that the rangers hired mike milbury as head coach.. please tell me that it is a rumor and has no validity!

— Mack Levine (@TheMack93) June 3, 2013

Like trading herpes for anal warts RT @pandapsu .@madchad412 direct trade - Tortorella for Milbury? Win-win for everyone except the Rangers.

— Mad Chad(@MadChad412) June 3, 2013

Mike Milbury?!?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! Someone just kick the chair out and turn off the light as you leave the room, okay? #lgr #iguess

— Todd H. Holsopple (@TheActualTodd) June 3, 2013

There are hoaxes. There are cruel hoaxes. And then there's tricking a Rangers fan into thinking Mike Milbury is their new head coach.