Rangers Rebuild With Realistic Hope | New York Rangers News

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On July 8th, Dave Maloney, a Rangers legend who played for them for years and now calls their games, is giving his take on where the team stands. He was drafted way back in 1974 and even captain the squad, leading them to the Stanley Cup final in 79
He's seen a lot of hockey with this franchise, both on the ice and now from the broadcast booth, and he's always got an honest, passionate opinion. He's been watching the team retool this off season, bringing in guys like Sean Dursey and Marcus Pedersen.
Maloney thinks they've done a decent job, but he's realistic about where they stack up against the top teams, especially the Stanley Cup champs. Carolina, he points out that only one team starts the season without questions, and for most of the league, including the Rangers, there's a lot to prove. When he looks at the roster, Maloney compares the Rangers to Carolina and acknowledges there's a gap in experience and makeup. But he stresses that it's okay to assess where you are and make changes. He believes the bar is pretty low for the Rangers next season, which might actually be a good thing after their recent struggles. Despite the challenges, Maloney is a big believer in the coaching staff. He defended the coach from last season, saying he and his staff actually held the team together during a tough year. He even contrasted last season with the year before, calling that one a disaster, with a roster that had no business performing the way it did. He feels last season's struggles were more about a slow start at home and key injuries to important players like Adam Fox and Igor Shesterkin.
When your best players are out, it's tough to keep things afloat. So, while the bar is low, Maloney suggests there might be some reason for optimism as they head into the new season. From your team, powered by AI, this is New York Rangers News Today.