The Rangers completed their TV broadcasting team, naming Dave Maloney to work alongside Kenny Albert. Maloney, who is taking over from Joe Micheletti as the analyst, will call games with play-by-play announcer Kenny Albert. Meanwhile, Albert is also entering his first year working Rangers games full-time on TV. Albert takes the reins from Sam Rosen, who retired after 40 years following the 2024-25 season. Previously, Albert and Maloney served as the team’s radio duo.
Alex Faust replaces Albert as the radio play-by-play announcer. Additionally, Faust will fill in on TV when Albert has national broadcasting commitments. Previously. Don La Greca was the designated fill-in for Albert. However,this past week, MSG announced La Greca will take over as Devils’ play-by-play announcer on TV, replacing Bill Spaulding. La Greca, who grew up a New Jersey fan, gets his dream job. Meanwhile, MSG has yet to decide who will replace Maloney as the radio analyst.
Maloney’s playing career
Maloney bleeds Rangers’ red, white and blue. He played 657 NHL games, all but 52 of which were with the Rangers. The former defenseman joined New York’s organization in 1974 after the team drafted him in the first round out of Kitchener in the Ontario Hockey League. Maloney made his NHL debut that year at age 18 and became captain at 22, which remains the youngest age anyone has worn the “C” in team history.
The former team captain led the Rangers to a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 1979. Maloney was Rangers teammates with Don Maloney, his younger brother, who is now the president of hockey operations for the Calgary Flames. In addition, many know him for the Sasson jeans commercial, in which he appeared with Phil Esposito, Ron Duguay and Anders Hedberg.
Maloney as a broadcaster
Maloney, who after retiring briefly worked as a stockbroker, took over as the Rangers’ radio analyst in the 2005-06 season. He is known for pulling no punches on air, calling out the team for poor and/or indifferent play. One question is how that will now play on TV. Will James Dolan and MSG management ask the broadcaster to temper his criticism or will he be allowed to speak his mind, which was one reason why he was a great listen on the radio. You knew you would get an unfiltered view of the team.
As for the criticism that the Rangers did not go younger, it’s somewhat valid. But, when Faust is on TV, that will bring a younger voice. Ryan Callahan and Brian Boyle were two individuals mentioned by many as their desired choice for the role. Both have young kids and may not have wanted the travel associated with the role. Cally has done some games for ESPN while he and Boyle have both worked for NHL Network, which broadcasts in New York, keeping each local.
I’m excited for this due to his raw honesty but agreed it’ll be interesting to see if he has to tone it down on TV. Also had no clue he basically retired after being traded strictly due to being a blue shirt fairhful