Islanders Hire New Coach

The New York Islanders have called a press conference for today to introduce Mike Milbury as the sixth coach in team history.

Milbury, the lead hockey analyst for ESPN, reportedly received a four-year deal worth $2.8 million. He replaces Lorne Henning, who was fired May 3 after a 15-28-5 regular season that was the second-worst record in the league.

The 42-year-old former defenseman played 12 seasons with the Boston Bruins, retiring after the 1986-87 season. He coached the Bruins’ AHL farm team before taking over as coach of the Bruins in 1989-90. In that campaign, he led them to a berth in the Stanley Cup finals against Edmonton in the last year of the Oilers’ dynasty.

Chicago center Denis Savard and St. Louis goalie Jon Casey entered the free agent market along with 70 other NHL players who were offered termination contracts by their clubs.

Centers Dale Hawerchuk of Buffalo and Joel Otto head the list of 111 players who became unrestricted free agents after completing their option years. Two key players from the Stanley Cup final - New Jersey defenseman Bruce Driver and Detroit goalie Mike Vernon - also are free to entertain bids from all 26 teams.