Ryan Malone gets second chance, agrees to terms with Rangers
All Ryan Malone wanted was another chance to get back into the NHL after a disastrous 2013-14 season that included an arrest on DUI and drug charges in April. Malone, who was bought out by the Tampa Bay Lightning after the season, will get that second chance from the New York Rangers, after agreeing to terms with the club. The deal is believed to be two-way, according to Larry Brooks of the New York Post, meaning he’ll only make the full value of the salary if he’s playing in the NHL.
Malone started skating with the Rangers during their informal workouts this week in New York and was expected to talk contract with the team while there.
He addressed the media soon after his first skate with the team and expressed remorse for his decisions that led to his DUI arrest and charges of cocaine possession. Malone offered a public apology to the Lightning organization and its fans, but also spoke about how he wanted to rebuild his reputation.
"I am looking for an opportunity to show the kind of person I am both on and off the ice. I am healthy and in good shape; and everything off ice is going well. I learned from my mistake off the ice and now just want to be part of something special."
He pleaded no contest to the DUI charge and accepted a pre-trial diversion for the cocaine charges in a Tampa court in August. Malone has also reportedly been participating in the NHL/NHLPA behavioral health program and was recently cleared to sign a contract by the NHL.
By giving him a two-way deal, the Rangers are going with a low-risk deal for Malone who is coming off one of his worst seasons as a pro, never mind the off-ice difficulties. Additionally, with the Rangers’ salary cap issues, his reported $700,000 cap hit is going to be easy to fit under the tight salary cap.
If he can get back on track, Malone has been a serviceable physical forward that can bring some scoring depth to the lineup. He was a member of the U.S. Olympic Team in 2010 and has six seasons of 20 goals or more over his 10-year career.
Malone has 370 points in 641 NHL games between stints with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Lightning.
Now he’ll have a fresh start, but one he’ll have to earn pretty much every day. The two-way contract makes him very easy to stash in the AHL to start the season, so Malone is going to have to make a statement in camp if he is to make the NHL roster.
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