Ryan Malone will get a second chance, agreeing to a one year, $700,000 contract with the New York Rangers today. The deal, though, as expected is a two-way contract that will pay Malone just $100,000 at the AHL level. Malone is far from a lock to make the Rangers team with one forward spot up for grabs. The Rangers have 12 forwards signed to one-way contracts and little cap space available. If Malone doesn’t make the NHL club out of camp, he would have to clear waivers first to play in the AHL.
In recent weeks, Malone’s first choice has been to join the Rangers. He met with Rangers GM Glen Sather in early August and has a number of close relationships with Rangers players. New York was the only team to meet with Malone in person this summer. The lure of possibly returning to Pittsburgh was there and there were discussions between both sides regarding Malone coming into camp on a PTO, but the Penguins were not interested in offering a one-way or two-way contract. Pittsburgh signing Daniel Carcillo to a PTO pretty much closed the door on Pittsburgh pursuing Malone, according to a source.
Malone drew minimal interest this summer following his arrest in April, declining play and significant weight gain. After weighing over 250 pounds in late May, Malone has dropped over 25 pounds and the Rangers are getting a motivated player.