NY Rangers Have Left NHL Analyst ‘Heartbroken’ With Play

The New York Rangers have been so bad, even people who aren't a fan of the team feel bad.

Apr 5, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan speaks to reporters after an 8-1 win against the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

There isn’t a team in the NHL that has been more disappointing than the New York Rangers over the last few years.

After setting franchise records with 55 victories and 114 points during the 2023-24 season, the team has fallen off. The Rangers have missed the postseason two straight years, as the roster teardown Chris Drury has enacted has not gone according to plan.

Fans are not confident that he is going to turn things around, with a fan poll placing New York’s front office in last place. While Rangers fans are disappointed, they aren’t the only ones who are feeling bad about the state of the franchise. Even respected hockey people don’t like seeing the Blueshirts like this.

During a recent episode of the Toronto Sports Rush podcast, Pierre McGuire revealed that he is heartbroken by the current state of the New York franchise. He hates to see a marquee franchise at a low point.

Pierre McGuire disappointed at current state of Rangers

May 8, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; NBC network NHL hockey analyst Pierre McGuire reports from between the bench before the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Buffalo Sabres at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports / USA TODAY Sports

“I’m heartbroken with what’s gone on with the New York Rangers. And it’s not because I’m a Rangers fan,” McGuire said, H/T to Jim Cerny of Forever Blueshirts. “The New York Rangers are an important franchise for the National Hockey League, and it’s because of TV more than anything else, and the size of the audience they have in New York. It’s just mammoth. People don’t realize until they go there just how big it is.”

McGurie is certainly onto something with his assessment. An original six team in the biggest media market in the world, hockey is better off when a franchise such as the Rangers is competitive and playing well.

Look at their Madison Square Garden co-tenants, the New York Knicks. They had New York City and the basketball world in a frenzy on their road to an NBA championship, taking home the title for the first time in 53 years.

The NBA certainly benefited from having one of its most popular franchises facing off for the Larry O’Brien Trophy against one of the stars in the league, Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs.

The Blueshirts can have a similar impact on the NHL, but the league is thriving currently. Despite New York struggling, finishing in last place in the Eastern Conference this past season with 77 points, the salary cap is rising exponentially.

The salary cap was at $95.6 million for the 2025-26 season. It is rising to $104 million for the upcoming season and is projected to be $113.5 million for the 2027-28 campaign. By 2028-29, early projections have the cap surpassing $123 million.

McGuire’s sentiment makes sense; when the biggest markets in the NHL have successful teams, everyone benefits. Alas, the league is in a great spot with several young stars emerging; a good Rangers squad would only add to the positive growth.