Say Bye Bye Bugsy

Yesterday afternoon I got a text message from the Pittsburgh Penguins free text service (no, I wasn't paid for that plug) saying that the Pens had traded the rights to Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts (who signed for a year with a contract up to $2 million in incentives) to Tampa Bay for a 4th round pick in next years draft. If Malone re-signed with the Melrose's, then the Pens would get a 3rd round pick instead of a 4th. This is all funny seeing as the previous deal to Columbus was nixed after he claimed he fully intends to pursue the free agent market. In that time several things came to light that changed his mind:

New vice president of hockey operations Brian Lawton was Malone's agent before getting out of the business last year.

Also:

In addition, it is believed that Malone's father, Greg, could join the
organization in some capacity. Greg Malone was a scout with Pittsburgh from
1988-2006 and was with Phoenix last season.

Today it all happened, hello third round pick. Rumors are $30 million for 7 years, or 3 years for $5.1 a year. Far too much for Malone in either case and let me explain why:

First off, Tampa really needs more defense more than anything. This just adds to the talks of Dan Boyle heading out of town, their only major threat on the blue line. Marc Denis, Mike Smith and Karri Ramo are decent in the goal and could be good behind a solid defense and system, but with all due respect to the Mullet, I doubt that he has the ability to do it, nor does he have the personel. The Lightning look to have around $44 million or $45.2 million in salary on books after this move depending on the sources (note that Vaclav Prospal's signing at $3.5 million for four years is not on that site), with a cap at $56.7 million (meaning the owners and NHLPA know how to count in ascending order). They also need an entire 4th line, part of a 3rd line, have to worry about a $3 million cap hit for Steve Stamkos. That'll put them around $50 million. A complete overhaul on defense will cost you more than $6 million. They didn't need to add another piece of offensive personel. Especially one at a cost of $4-$5 million a year. A second line of Malone-Stamkos-Oullet is not something that strikes fear into the hearts of any opponent.

Now dont get me wrong, Malone will still put up around 40-50 points a year, no doubt. He's always been steady in that respect. He also did improve his game, his skating had gotten better as had his fitness and penalty killing. He's got worth in the world of the NHL, but it's not worth $4-$5 million a year. He'll be wanted to anchor a line with a rookie and a fringe NHLer that cant play anything but second line right wing (and spent a lot of time on the 4th line last year). The Bolts are still in a position to to be also-rans to the class of the division in Washington and the close number two in Carolina.

Two more days until July 1st and the real fun begins. Hossa and Orpik both declined the Pens offers. Get ready for a real roller coaster ride. We'll report the rumors with caution and the facts as soon as we get them. -Nick