Malone's agent: "It's going to get done."

Mike Liut, the agent for left wing Ryan Malone, said his client has not signed a contract but a deal with the Lightning "is going to get done. ... I think we'll finish it today."

That doesn't mean it will be announced today, of course. The deal is expected $31-million over seven years.

Comments

[Twinebulge]

Don beware of placing stock in whomever "ek" (Eklund) picks for this or that, the guy's predictions are historically as wrong as the global warming hoax. Covers it up by making so many predictions that some of them are bound to come out right just by chance, then focuses on those

[Marv]

Agree with David. Roberts showed his stripes by trying to take out a guy with a concussion.
Leadership? Not that night! Thug? Yes!

[Don in St. Pete]

David, What the hell was a player with a concussion doing on the ice? He has no business out there.
Ken B., we still need the right winger for the Stamkos line. Tha being said I agree that the D is our weakest link at this point though I am hoepful that several of our defenseman will step up big time this year.My feeling is any defensive help will come via the trade route with Boyle as the trade bait.

[Don in St. Pete]

David, What you say may be true ( I haven't verified ) but you have no idea what used to happen back in THE DAY. Google Terrible Ted Green or Wayne Maki and see what you find. This is not a sissy's game and if you choose to step on the ice you'd better be willing to take and dish out whatever is needed. If Franzen stepped on the ice he was fair game and to suggest otherwise is the disrespect the game. If you're truly hurt don't suit up and don't provide and achilles heal for the other team to attackj your team through. Help me out here Leo.

7 years? 7??? eesh

[KenB]

Next UFA better be a D-man. I think we have a pretty servicable Front line with theses aquisitions. Re-sign Gratton, and get Darche&Macdonald on 2-way (or cheap enough 1 way) deals and we should have enough punch up front. Just need to keep the 3rd line usefull until Halpern gets back. Stamkos/Malone and either Jokinen or Ouellet should be fine.

[David]

Don,

Roberts went headhunting after a guy with a concussion. If that's leadership, we can go leaderless. That isn't the kind of example I want the rookies to be learning from.

so are you saying roberts is a second line center wiz? LOL, i guarantee ill be right come september.

[WIZ]

Riight. I count two wingers albeit both listed as LWs. Roberts plays anywhere, and if fact Malone would too.

Interesting because you or I will be proven right by September. Donny I will give you my Pink Streets home if Vrbata ever becomes a true NHL all-around player.

The cap is an interesting animal. As fans, we all want money thrown at whomever is out there to let us imagine line combinations, dream of the changes in a positive way, etc. The reality of it is teams must really make sure that they target "their" guy, decide if he fits the salary structure and go from there. Yeah it is a business, and player X will start asking for more than you just paid free agent Z just as soon as he sees he is a lot better player.
The top UFAs get huge $ and may not be worth it, but everybody understands from the get-go that they were brought in and paid to get it done.
But the mid-range UFAs are totally over-priced, and the mid-range RFAs cost you picks, but are USUALLY GUYS with UPSIDE whereas the mid range UFA are just NOT that GOOD period.
So, if you are correct and I am incorrect and the Bolts bring in a third forward, he WILL NOT be a player of better ilk than Malone, honest!

[WIZ]

Riight. I count two wingers albeit both listed as LWs. Roberts plays anywhere, and if fact Malone would too.

Interesting because you or I will be proven right by September. Donny I will give you my Pink Streets home if Vrbata ever becomes a true NHL all-around player.

The cap is an interesting animal. As fans, we all want money thrown at whomever is out there to let us imagine line combinations, dream of the changes in a positive way, etc. The reality of it is teams must really make sure that they target "their" guy, decide if he fits the salary structure and go from there. Yeah it is a business, and player X will start asking for more than you just paid free agent Z just as soon as he sees he is a lot better player.
The top UFAs get huge $ and may not be worth it, but everybody understands from the get-go that they were brought in and paid to get it done.
But the mid-range UFAs are totally over-priced, and the mid-range RFAs cost you picks, but are USUALLY GUYS with UPSIDE whereas the mid range UFA are just NOT that GOOD period.
So, if you are correct and I am incorrect and the Bolts bring in a third forward, he WILL NOT be a player of better ilk than Malone, honest!

[Don in St. Pete]

Bryan, I should let Leo answer this one but I won't. I agree Malone had his best season. So? Are you holdin that against him? The answer to your post is common sense knowledge of anyone who's played the game or been a fan for 5 years or more. We need a big tough SOB that can score 20+ goals, dig the pucks out of the corners and feed his linemates and to protect Stamkos' back. If I'm SS's linemate and somebody wants to run him, there gonna pay dearly, and so that job will fall to Malone and he will fulfill it handsomely and chip in 25 goals or so as well. He's also great on the power play and the PK so I don't see an issue with paying him that kind of money. As much as I love Vinny prospal, I have never seen him out on the PK and with good reason. V4 has to cover his own back and is big enough and tough enough to do so. Stamkos can play with an edge too, but you need to let him worry about adjusting to his game at this point, not worry about dropping the gloves.

[Herb]

I know that PS&E haven't done much over the past 2 years but I agree with 'Flasher that Davidson gave the powers that be in the Bolts organization, room to go out and bring the Tampa Bay area a championship. The recent decline of money to the Bolts was due to Bill Davidson's health and they wanted cautious with the team should have that Mr. Davidson expired and put the trust through any extra problems. It is apparent that they were in the process of liquidating his assets to make it easier when he does pass. I will mention for the last time, that ex #19's inflated contract handcuffed the whole payroll of the team.

[BE]

Personally, I would like to see them make a run at Naslund. We could probably get him for a decent price, and he'd provide a strong veteran presence, as well as a playmaker to compliment Stamkos and Malone.

[Bryan in kentucky]

What isn't true - he did have a career year, he did play with Crosby and Malkin. His first half was horrible and he was the subject of trade rumors. check out his stats on NHL.com, Congrats to Ryan for parlaying playing with 2 broken noses in teh SCF into a huge pay day. He is a good player and will have a positive impact on the ice and in the locker room but he is by no means a great player.

2007-2008 Goals (27) Assists (24) Points (51)
Overall Tied for 42nd Tied for 164th Tied for 99th
Forwards Tied for 42nd Tied for 129th Tied for 90th

[Don in St. Pete]

David, Roberts was signed for veteran leadership in the locker room. He's an example for the young kids who weren't around during the cup year to see how you go about the business. He's also a tough SOB that will have his teamates back and lead by example. If he meets the performance options then he gets the extra money. Not a bad deal at all in my opinion. WIZ, they will be signing another winger for the Stamkos line. Vrbata played well at both ends of the ice each time I saw him play this year. While he's not John Madden he brings speed and great moves on the offensive end which would open up the ice for Malone and Stamkos. There's a reason that Ek has Vrbata rated 6th among available free agents this year.

[Evan]

I hope they get somebody else opposite Stamkos & Malone. I am hoping for Rolston.

there done? riiight wiz, they said their getting a couple wingers for stamkos. i only count 1, therefore they will get someone else for that line

[WIZ]

Linemate Vrbata? You don't want him, he is one zone horsebleep.
You really think that they are going to go after MORE guys after adding Stamkos, Malone and leadership (Roberts)
They are done will all their major signings and free agency hasn't started!

[WIZ]

7 years 30 million?
You have to wonder if the the next time the labor management gets together to negotiate a deal, if the owners will ask for contracts much like the NFL's were when a serviceable player like Malone, known as banger, signs a long term deal, that the team can buy out at a lower $ amount so that you don't have the pay in the future years for a guy who may not have much left to give at the 5 through 7 years. Please don't get me wrong, I love Malone's game, commend my local team's owners for going to get him and his dad to be Lightning strikes.
I know, I know, they play for the right to be UFAs, but that's a long time and he is NOT a big time scorer. Interesting strategy: sign father and son!

[Don in St. Pete]

Boltflasher, What did you expect them to say? Ryan Malone is from Pitt and a fan favorite and they're letting him walk? They are trying to justify the move to placate the fans. I think Malone has a lot more in the tank and 7 years! Stamkos has a strong linemate to dig the puck out in the corners a great complement to his speed. OK and Len, I know you guys have a plan and I am just dying to know who the other linemate to this duo will be. Vrbata? Huselius? Ryder? Williams? Jagr? Rolston? Demitra? Hossa? Selanne? Or someone we're not counting on? Anyone care to venture a guess? My guess is Vrbata. Not let's hurry up and wait. Rock on OK!

[David]

I'd agree that Roberts is too old and injury prone. Don't understand wanting him.

[Boltflasher]

Now that it looks like the Bolts are going to have these guys, the Pittsburgh media is, of course, saying that these guys are not so great...Metzger saying that Malone basically had a career year because he spent the season on a line with Malkin and Sykora and he won't have that in TB, and, of course, Roberts is too old and injury prone so that's why Pitt let both of these guys go...

[Boltflasher]

Before we start giving the finger, remember the Lightning went from the absolute abysmal depths of the league to Stanley Cup champs under the Davidson group...I remember the empty building and 7 to 2 losses and poor Darren Puppa in net (followed by the floppy Cloutier)when he could hardly stand due to his back pain before the Davidson group took over...

[Holden Caulfield]

The new owners! Just the antithesis of that mummy in Detroit and his well-dressed inveterate liar/henchman who drained the life out of this team and the community that supports it. Mr. Davidson, I shoot you and Mr. Wilson the bird and it goes for the whole Piston organization as well.

As for Oren Koules and Len Barrie: well done, gentlemen. You have my admiration.

[Nan]

Way to go OK! This has been fun watching the last few days! I hope that the skating next season will be as entertaining!

[William Nuzum]

Excellent! Well done.