Malone finally signs

It took a lot longer than anyone expected, but the Lightning announced that Ryan Malone signed a seven-year deal. It is worth $31.5-million and will pay $6-million in 2008-09.

"Ryan's signing is a great validation of the organization's plans and desires as we move forward," owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie said in a joint statement. He fits our strategic plan of adding quality players with a warrior mentality."

The Lightning also added Malone's dad, Greg, to the scouting department. 

Comments

[David]

Sign a GOALIE!

glad to hear your take on the slabs. theres a little more happening here and nobody cares too much about your team right now.

i get a kick out of your evaluation about needing a big, forceful, first line center. Last I looked Hossa was a winger and Sundin is hardly forceful.

then again, i heard peca was available. maybe your lame management could sing him. only if they can get their heads out of their beers crying about vinny.

good luck with the centre.

[léo]

Here's what,
The main knock against Us is lack of size, i.e, toughness. No one denies Our skill. A big, forceful 1st line center and We're the complete package.
But like Detroit, We prize skill first.
Hossa's GOTTA be Plan B, cuz after he and Sundin drop off, the talent level decreases dramatically. (attackers-wise)
Next guy is Rolston. Whom I wouldn't mind, of course but,
Who would you rather have?
Rolston or Sundin?
Rolston or Hossa?
If Mtl lands Rolston (which I doubt), I'll be happy.
But if We land Sundin, I'll be friggin' ECSTATIC!
Yo.

[Patrick]

Wow, I am stoked about this move. I think it was the best "long term" option in free agency for the lightning. I don't know if he'll play to high enough level to earn all that money or ever score 30 goals or more, but I think the best gamble to take in this year's offseason, and we were really in need of scoring wingers and it sounds like he is a good character guy.

[Don in St. Pete]

F;lasher, I've got a feeling they're going to get this done, and tonight. That they had the whole team call him means he's leaning in my view. Add that to the malone #'s which were originally announced as front heavy at 7-8 mile per but are now knocked back to six. I smell a little wild in the air! Rock on OK! GO BOLTS

[Boltflasher]

Sorry, did not sign in again...

[Don in St. Pete]

It seems that Malone's 1st year numbers have been adjusted down from what we were originally hearing. Could that have to do with the effort to sign Rolston, which seems to be really heating up. Here's an excerpt from another blog.

Also, there appears to be a deadline for Rolston to make a decision of midnight or 1 a.m. (I assume central time). Tampa Bay has called out all the stops here, as Len Barrie, Oren Koules, Barry Melrose, Brian Lawton, Wes Walz, Gary Roberts and Vinny Lecavalier have all been in contact with Rolston today hoping to convince him to sign.

C'mon Brian we love you man! Your destiny lies in Hockey Bay USA. Rock on OK! GO BOLTS!

Don, the free agents blogs say that Buffalo is closing in on Vrbata...the Sabres really go for those speed guys..
I hope something gets done with Rolston but apparently they are about $1 mill apart and maybe lower than Montreal and Minnesota, not good...one wonders how Montreal can fit in Sundin, along with Tanguay, and now maybe Rolston and Hossa, as rumours are now saying...maybe the cap does not apply to the Canadiens...

[Don in St. Pete]

Finally! The official word is a breath of fresh air after staggering through the hope that Rolston will sign. I want Rolston, since we went there but would be fine with Vrbata. Rock on OK! GO BOLTS!

[Don in St. Pete]

Finally! The official word is a breath of fresh air after staggering through the hope that Rolston will sign. I want Rolston, since we went there but would be fine with Vrbata. Rock on OK! GO BOLTS!

Now to find him a line mate him and stamkos will be great together. Now lets hope we get rolston or vrbata.