After years of fans calling for his firing, NBCSN analyst Mike Milbury will be stepping into a bigger role this fall. With lead broadcast analyst Ed Olczyk on medical leave due to cancer, Milbury will be taking his place in the broadcast booth during national telecasts. NBC’s number one hockey broadcasting team will now include Milbury, Hall of Fame play-by-play man Mike Emrick, and sideline reporter Pierre McGuire.

According to Kevin Allen of USA TODAY Sports, the controversial Milbury is unsure how long this new role will last, but he’s received a schedule through New Year’s Day.

“When you have a problem, someone has to fill in,” Milbury said to USA TODAY Sports. “I’m a little nervous about it. It’s not something I’ve done a lot of. But the good news is when you are sitting next to someone as polished and celebrated as Doc Emrick you can just ride shotgun and not worry much. I hope.”

The former NHL GM has only worked eight or 10 games as an analyst in the booth all time.

“I guess my approach will be to shut up until I have something to say,” Milbury said. “Being patient and waiting for the right moment will be an interesting challenge.”

In August, the 51-year-old Olczyk announced that he was diagnosed with colon cancer. At the time, he was said to be “recovering well” after having surgery to remove the cancerous tumor. Blackhawks team physician Dr. Michael Terry said Olczyk would receive treatment over the coming weeks, which included chemotherapy.

Olczyk said that he expects to return to the broadcast booth.

Now with Milbury in his place, that return cannot come soon enough.