Dave Maloney, a name synonymous with the New York Rangers, is set to embark on a new chapter in his illustrious career. He will be the new TV analyst for the Blueshirts, joining Kenny Albert in the broadcast booth for the 2025-26 season on MSG Networks. This announcement coincides with the Rangers' upcoming centennial season, making it a particularly special occasion for Maloney.
A Dream Come True
Maloney expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "I just couldn’t be more thrilled, in all honesty. To be in this position, I’m really looking forward to it. And again, you mention the 100-year anniversary, it’s just a little overwhelming, but I’m really looking forward to it. It should be fun."
His established rapport with Kenny Albert further fuels his excitement. "I’ve never held it against Kenny Albert that he grew up as a Vancouver Canucks fan. We’ve worked together for 20 years and it’s funny... To think that we were going our separate ways and here we are. It’s great, it’s great all the way around."
From Player to Broadcaster: A Full-Circle Moment
Maloney's foray into broadcasting began during the 1981 playoffs, when a knee injury sidelined him during his seventh season with the Rangers. He joined Marv Albert and Sal Messina in the radio booth, marking the start of his media career. It's a full circle moment for Maloney, as he recalls Kenny Albert, Marv’s son, being a young stat keeper at the time.
Reflecting on his early experience, Maloney said, "That really then piqued my interest... I will say, my good pal and teammate Ron Greschner, as we’ve kept in touch over the years, as he said to me, ‘I have no surprise that you’re in this business because you could never shut up as a player.’"
For Maloney, broadcasting offers the closest connection to the game outside of playing. His deep-rooted passion for hockey, cultivated through 11 years in the NHL, shines through.
A Storied Playing Career
Drafted 14th overall by the Rangers in 1974, Maloney played for the team from 1974-75 to 1984-85. He was named the youngest captain in franchise history on October 11, 1978, at the age of 22 – a record he still holds.
His first season as captain saw the Rangers reach the 1979 Stanley Cup Final. He also participated in a memorable Sasson Jeans commercial alongside Phil Esposito, Ron Duguay, and Anders Hedberg.
During his time with the Rangers, Maloney amassed 70 goals and 225 assists in 605 games and was awarded the team's Most Valuable Player award in 1976-77.
Traded to Buffalo in December 1984, he played 52 games for the Sabres before retiring in 1985.
A Broadcasting Career Takes Shape
After retiring from playing, Maloney transitioned into broadcasting, working with CTV in Canada, the Minnesota North Stars, Sports Channel, and Fox. He began his tenure as MSG Networks’ radio analyst for the Rangers in the 2005-06 season.
He emphasizes the importance of expressing himself as an analyst rather than a critic. “One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that my passion for this particular franchise is pretty deep,” he said. “Learning along the way to express myself as an analyst and not a critic has been important. To be able to observe and not opine and not make it personal. And then, I’ve never forgotten how hard the game is… As players, we all get better the further we get away from the ice surface. So when you get up top, it looks so easy, right? It looks like probably how it looks for [Wayne] Gretzky or [Connor] McDavid or [Sidney] Crosby. But I think it’s important to remember just how hard the game is.”
Maloney anticipates a smooth transition to television, given his comfort level with Albert and his familiarity with the MSG crew.
Looking Ahead to the Future of the Rangers
Maloney believes that change was necessary for the Rangers. "I think we can all agree there had to be a change," Maloney said. "I think it starts behind the bench." He spoke highly of Mike Sullivan and David Quinn, noting their experience in the New York market. He also acknowledged last season's challenges but emphasized the importance of moving forward.
He commended Chris Drury and his staff for making necessary changes, highlighting the acquisition of Vladislav Gavrikov. He also expressed his admiration for Urho Vaakanainen and Will Borgen, praising their quiet and safe style of play, which he believes the Rangers needed.
Maloney is particularly excited about the future, citing the presence of "arguably the top goaltender in the league" and the potential for a more defensively sound team.
Maloney's Optimism for the Centennial Season
Maloney concluded with an optimistic outlook for the Rangers' future.
- New Beginnings: "Last year is done."
- Building Blocks: "There’s an awful lot of things to build off here and I’m really excited, really excited about that."
- Unwavering Bias: "I think we all have our biases, right? And my bias is for this franchise and there’s a lot of reasons why."
- Reasons for Excitement: "I just think that you look ahead and I think there’s a lot of reasons to be excited, I really do.”
Dave Maloney's return to the broadcast booth promises to bring a wealth of knowledge, passion, and insight to the New York Rangers' centennial season.
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