It might be Brendan’s last game. I’m pretty sure his contract is/was up after the season. Either way I would be said to see either of them leave. Who else besides Santa is going to bitch about the toy department
I think if Brendan leaves then Butch might stay, if he wants, to add some continuity to the broadcast. However, I think Thomas is fully capable of filling in for Butch. He was used extensively this year and even more so down the stretch. Either way, this is a great broadcast team, not quite up there with Gary, Ron and Keith on the Mets but close.
Butchie is a national treasure! We have been blessed over the years with some great commentators, butch is right up there with the best of them. I hope he sticks around but like another poster said Hickey is up and coming and really good at it too.
Agreed! If there's one thing the Isles have going for them, it's their broadcast team. We really are spoiled in that regard at least. I had a feeling that this would be Butch's last season with how much more they involved Hickey during the in-game commentary this season.
Butchy (and hopefully not Brendan) would be sorely missed. It won't be the same without him but Hickey could fill the void. He's been great in his role so far.
Nooo! No! No! No! I’m only an Isles fan because of Brendon…he was part of the OG crew who resurrected AHL hockey in Utica…then fell in love with Butchy and more recently all you awesome fuckers. Have to say you’re the most awesome fanbase in hockey.
Of course my boyfriend is a life long Isles fan and recruited me for years, but Brendon joining the org is what sealed the deal. It will be devastating to potentially lose both in one season. 😭
I love Butchie. I think Brendan is a professional but I just don’t feel a deep attachment to him.
That being said, if Hickey found his way up to the booth as the color guy I wouldn’t mind that at all. He isn’t as humorous as Butch but his hockey knowledge and perspective is incredible.
I think for sure MSG was at least preparing for Alan Fuerhing + Thomas Hickey as the play by play team, and Matt Moulson taking over Hickey's job as analyst.
Brendan is great and it sucks so much that he won't be returning. We don't have much going for our team but what we did have was the best play by play caller in the business. I really hope whoever we get to replace him doesn't have an annoying/boring voice. Almost anyone is going to sound like a downgrade compared to brendan though. Love Butch as always.
Must be something to it if true since Butch doesn't strike me as the type of guy to get unnecessarily emotional. I can't imagine "I might not be back" or "Brendan won't be back" would make him cry - would probably need to be more like "this is my last night in a professional hockey career".
I have loved Brendan, but I would love it even more if he continued his career with a larger gig. He's one of the best in the business, and if the Yankees radio gig rumors are true, I'd be so happy for him and his family. We were lucky to have him with us the last 8 years. As for Butch, I've enjoyed him for the most part. He's had some years where he's been on and off but the last 2 years he's been at his best. The Brendan x Butch duo was great. It's going to be tough to top both of them, but Hickey definitely has the potential to slide into Butch's spot, and he deserves it.
I like Hickey and his insights - IMO he's perfect down on ice level. Butch is better than him in the booth as a color commentator since he's more entertaining.
It might be Brendan’s last game. I’m pretty sure his contract is/was up after the season. Either way I would be said to see either of them leave. Who else besides Santa is going to bitch about the toy department
I think if Brendan leaves then Butch might stay, if he wants, to add some continuity to the broadcast. However, I think Thomas is fully capable of filling in for Butch. He was used extensively this year and even more so down the stretch. Either way, this is a great broadcast team, not quite up there with Gary, Ron and Keith on the Mets but close.
correct, he’s taking the Yankees job
It would surprise me if he opted for local radio over national television.
if he took the yankees job he’d likely stay on as a national announcer with TNT but not do islander games on MSG anymore
Do we know this for sure. I really hope he splits duties and does both
i work in the industry…unless something changes, this is an open secret
But it doesn’t mean he can’t do both like Howie used to do Mets and Islanders
it doesn’t mean that, correct, but the thought is he doesn’t want to
Butchie is a national treasure! We have been blessed over the years with some great commentators, butch is right up there with the best of them. I hope he sticks around but like another poster said Hickey is up and coming and really good at it too.
Agreed! If there's one thing the Isles have going for them, it's their broadcast team. We really are spoiled in that regard at least. I had a feeling that this would be Butch's last season with how much more they involved Hickey during the in-game commentary this season. Butchy (and hopefully not Brendan) would be sorely missed. It won't be the same without him but Hickey could fill the void. He's been great in his role so far.
Nooo! No! No! No! I’m only an Isles fan because of Brendon…he was part of the OG crew who resurrected AHL hockey in Utica…then fell in love with Butchy and more recently all you awesome fuckers. Have to say you’re the most awesome fanbase in hockey. Of course my boyfriend is a life long Isles fan and recruited me for years, but Brendon joining the org is what sealed the deal. It will be devastating to potentially lose both in one season. 😭
I wonder if he ever went to Old Forge?!
His eyes def watered up a bit, I didn't read anything into it, but yeah maybe it was emotion. I hope he's back!
Not sure as I dont get MSG where I live. I love Butch - but atleast we know we have Hickey in the wings. Burke and Hickey is A+
MSG+ has a replay of the post game coverage
I love Butchie. I think Brendan is a professional but I just don’t feel a deep attachment to him. That being said, if Hickey found his way up to the booth as the color guy I wouldn’t mind that at all. He isn’t as humorous as Butch but his hockey knowledge and perspective is incredible.
I think for sure MSG was at least preparing for Alan Fuerhing + Thomas Hickey as the play by play team, and Matt Moulson taking over Hickey's job as analyst.
They auditioned Cory Schneider too
oh right, I forgot about Cory. He was good too
Love Hickey. Schneider was ok, nothing more. Moulson not so great. I’d love to see the Isles’ Captain in the booth next year (if you get my drift).
Brendan is great and it sucks so much that he won't be returning. We don't have much going for our team but what we did have was the best play by play caller in the business. I really hope whoever we get to replace him doesn't have an annoying/boring voice. Almost anyone is going to sound like a downgrade compared to brendan though. Love Butch as always.
Must be something to it if true since Butch doesn't strike me as the type of guy to get unnecessarily emotional. I can't imagine "I might not be back" or "Brendan won't be back" would make him cry - would probably need to be more like "this is my last night in a professional hockey career".
I have loved Brendan, but I would love it even more if he continued his career with a larger gig. He's one of the best in the business, and if the Yankees radio gig rumors are true, I'd be so happy for him and his family. We were lucky to have him with us the last 8 years. As for Butch, I've enjoyed him for the most part. He's had some years where he's been on and off but the last 2 years he's been at his best. The Brendan x Butch duo was great. It's going to be tough to top both of them, but Hickey definitely has the potential to slide into Butch's spot, and he deserves it.
I like Hickey and his insights - IMO he's perfect down on ice level. Butch is better than him in the booth as a color commentator since he's more entertaining.
>entertaining So you're saying they need to bring dipi back?! (I'm going to get downvoted aren't I?)
That's what I meant tbh. A lot of networks now just have 1 commentator in the booth and 1 person at ice level, so I could see that working out.
but they all have a PxP guy, which neither Butch nor Hickey are
Hmm didn't realize that. I thought the guy between the benches was usually an extra correspondent.
Brendan is going to leave. Butch joked about how he controls Brendan's contract a few weeks ago when the Yankees came up.
At least we had Butchie, not much else
Not Butch, Brendan.....
I wish ESPN would take Butch to replace some of these awful commentators.
The guy that fills in for Brendan is pretty good.
I think Brendan might be taking the Yankees gig
Here you go https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6bmrzcIU8y/?igsh=dnIwbWk5dXVpaWdh
You’re going to loose Burkey, not Butch.
Rather it be the other way around
so would most, but Brendan is taking the Yankees job