Analysis: Malone signing could make Tampa's defense even worse
Ryan Malone's new seven year pact with the Lightning will have him making an average of $4.5 million per season. (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)
Ryan Dixon
2008-06-30 11:45:10
The Tampa Bay Lightning made a splash signing rugged winger Ryan Malone, but the ripples could be cause for concern.
In and of itself, getting the 28-year-old Malone in the mix for seven years at an average of $4.5 million per season is a good move.
Tampa is the rare last-place team that has a legit superstar in place to carry the load, so while Vincent Lecavalier is challenging for Hart and Art Ross Trophies over the next five years, Malone can help a team that used to have one first line and three fifth lines go about creating some secondary scoring.
His grit in front of the net will add to the high skill set that already exists on Tampa’s power play.
Where Malone’s arrival becomes troubling is if the money allotted to him displaces Dan Boyle and his $6.6 million per season on the blueline.
There’s already speculation Boyle
If Boyle and his no-trade clause were placed on waivers, there’s no doubt another team would snap him up. Given he’s the only Lightning defenseman you can say that about (OK, Shane O’Brien, maybe), it makes one ponder if the team’s new ownership shouldn’t be a little more concerned about sinking cash into a pathetic blueline corps that, combined with shaky goaltending, has been the Lightning’s Achilles’ heel for years now.
If the current group make up doesn’t improve, Malone will have to score about 65 goals a year to help take the pressure off young netminders Karri Ramo and Mike Smith.
If Greg Malone, Ryan’s father and Tampa’s new head pro scout as of last week, can muster up some hot tips on a few quality blueliners to trade for, he’ll have a far greater impact to the Bolts’ fortunes than his son.
mary (Posted 2008-07-01 13:31:55)
Get rid of boyle and the bolts have no d. The bolts need him. By the way david S. your comment about paying is harsh but true. We have the forwards now get the bolts some d please.
Tim Acosta (Posted 2008-07-01 13:22:48)
All the comments here are negative, its as if everyone knows everything about the Lightning. The real issue here is that Tortarella's pinch and stench defensive scheme is gone along with him. Torts was a coach that refused to lay back on D no matter how badly his defense and offense performed. Tampa now has good size and talent at D, they have great puck mover and they now have a coach that isn't as stubborn as a mule and is willing to adjust according to the talet that he has. It is in my estimate that the Bolts only need one, possibly two veterans to round out their defense. If they bring up the 6'7" giant, Mahalik from Norfolk they will be as impresive in size as any other defense in the league. There have been allot of positive changes to the Lightning this off-season. Counting them out before they ever play a game is foolish. Although they will probably not contend for the Cup in their first season under Melrose, I bet they will at least return to the play-offs and compete in every game.
David S (Posted 2008-06-30 22:12:50)
Overpaying for free agents after having a bad season, maybe we should start calling the Lightening the New York Rangers.
Chris (Posted 2008-06-30 20:27:34)
Looks to me like Koules and Barrie need to get their hands off the hockey operations. I hope they fall flat on their faces trying to make these huge deals.
David S (Posted 2008-06-30 18:12:29)
Tommy-- Good point, Malone will not put up 4 million dollar a year numbers, if anything he is worth 2.5 million and thats being generous. One good season doesnt mean that you are going to tear it up for the rest of your career. And even then 27 goals really isnt being an all star, its being a solid contributor, something he wasnt untill last season. Hopefully Shero will use the money he saved on Malone tword something better, like getting Malkin and not Hossa to an extended contract.
Tommy A. (Posted 2008-06-30 15:58:38)
geoff- buy the jersey, put your name on it. Fans don't go free agent.
Shero is a smart man. Everybody but Tampa realizes Malone isn't a 4+ mil/yr player. The man who should be hit is Malone's agent, for putting the idea in Malone's head to begin with. I wish him well but he won't be in the playoffs next year.
Dave Luft (Posted 2008-06-30 15:27:21)
Paying Malone over 14 mil for the next 2 seasons puts him ahead of Iginla in salary. A 51 point effort alongside Malkin isn't terribly impressive, but rookie owners, like rookie players, make mistakes. Reminds me of Bruce McNall in LA, or the Rangers, throwing money around and hoping for wins. They're still dreadful on the back end and may lead the league in goals against.
Pucks (Posted 2008-06-30 15:17:36)
Steven -- "How is it Jay Feaster still has a job?" -- Does he still have a job? Or is he just a figurehead at this point? I noticed the press releases from Tampa Bay have been announced by "owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie." Is it possible these Koules and Barrie are making all the decisions without consulting Feaster? Is Brian Lawton just there to make sure the numbers have been crunched properly? Do they have a plan or are they just spending money to get the headlines and (temporarily) stir interest? The Bolts are starting to remind me of the pre-lockout New York Rangers.
BayFan (Posted 2008-06-30 14:34:01)
Read Cliff's comment..and he's right on. Panthers look real, real strong on defense, and if I'm a GM that's where I'd put my money. Lightning have it all backwards...again. Unless they plan to offer sheet Bouwmeester...ooops...with all that money going to offense, there won't be any left. But...the new owners are going Hollywood here...all flash (offense) and no substance (goalie/defense).
Matt T (Posted 2008-06-30 14:23:07)
Why do I see another Lecavalier/St. Louis/Richards salary monopoly in Lecavalier/Malone/(maybe)Rolston? Aren't they just putting themselves in the same situation that screwed them over in the first place?
Dog gone (Posted 2008-06-30 13:54:32)
Why would the just simply release a guy they spent half the season last year trying to resign? Would make no sense...
Brayden R (Posted 2008-06-30 13:30:50)
And basically nothing after that. It is a top-heavy contract, which is good if he does turn out like Holik or Lapointe, it is easier to unload him. And bostongm, that trade is impossible- Smith is making under 1 mil, they have no room for Fernandez.
geoff (Posted 2008-06-30 13:28:29)
I'm a little shocked to see this go down. $4.5 is a big chunk of change and I feel likes its a by product of the "Paul Bunyon" type status the media started to give Malone. He's a good player, but he's not irreplaceable. As a pens fan, I'm also sad to see him go, but realize this is part of the business (why I would never go buy a jersey with a name ever again). I would have liked to see the core of the team stay more intact, but you could easily put Staal on the 2nd line as a wing with Sykora & Malkin. TB is setting themselves up again for another fall from grace. Spend a lot of money now, win now, and when these contracts start to mature, have to cut & trade and wallow at the bottom again.
bostongm (Posted 2008-06-30 13:24:44)
Boyle on waivers? Why would they just give away an asset like him? It makes as much sense as Sundin playing for the Jackets. It just doesnt add up. They can attempt to trade him and bring in a lesser salary for a 2nd tier d-man. They also need a goalie in the worst way. Huet anybody? Or how about Boston sends Fernandez to the Bolts for Smith? Manny is more accomplished than either of their 2 goalies combined. He is realitively cheap as well.(4.33). thoughts? or am i just dreaming the impossible dream?
Steven Noble (Posted 2008-06-30 13:18:32)
Spending foolishly is right, cliff. This has Bobby Holik or Martin Lapointe written all over it. Is Malone a decent player? Yes. Is he a good character addition? Yes. Is he a second-liner at best? Pretty much. Plying beside one of the top players in the world last year he only managed 51 points in 77 games. The contract is set up to pay him 8 million this year and 7 million next year...if my favourite team made such an assinine move I'd be ticked. What's he worth? Three, maybe 3.5 a year. After that I'd rather spend my money on hiring some good scouts, which would be the truely smart move for t-Bay. On that note, how is it Jay Feaster still has a job?
Chris Arnold (Posted 2008-06-30 13:15:59)
Ryan you really missed the mark on this one. Tampa inks Ryan Malone and will probably sign Brian Rolston today, two of the top four forwards on The Hockey News rankings and all you can say is yeah but what about the defense? Ownership has already publicly stated that they're counting on 25 mins/game from Boyle so saying he could be placed on waivers is laughable. Boyle, Ranger, and Lukowich all were injured last year and Obrien clearly had problems with the now departed head coach. Mike Smith is going to turn out fine and this team is on a quick path back to the Eastern Conference elite.
Ken Rankin (Posted 2008-06-30 12:53:24)
Being from Pittsburgh, it was sad to see Malone leave. He contributed a lot to making our team one the top teams in the league. However, I support Ray Shero in not forking up 4.5M per year, for 7 years...Malone is not worth that kind of money...He had his best season last year and only scored 51 points during the regular season...That does not rate 4.5M a year...He was a tough player and made his presence know in from of the net, but still his asking price was just too high. Tampa Bay may be regretting this decision in a few years when they start to feel the Cap crunch.
Jay R (Posted 2008-06-30 12:52:11)
NO GOALTENDING,NO DEFENCE,NO PLAYOFFS!!!!!!!!!
Tom Aikens (Posted 2008-06-30 12:52:11)
Ryan Malone is the classic player who has a huge play-off with good publicity (he should thank everyone who ran the photo with the cotton plug in his nose!) and gets a big contract from an owner desperate to make a splash. Those of us who have watch Malone for years recall his gritty go-the-net play, but also recall his disappearing for large parts of seasons. And 27 goals is not his typical year. He got 27 goals playing with Malkin and Sykora...If TB has players like that, he is your man. Seven years is a long time.
Congrats Ryan!...
cliff (Posted 2008-06-30 12:50:23)
So...new owners trying to make a name for themselves by spending foolishly. The term on this deal is outrageous. Meanwhile, on the other side of the state, the Panthers have built a team whose strength is goalie/defense...which is what it takes to win in the long haul. I'd much rather have their roster right now. Can't wait to hear about the next crazy offensive signing.
george (Posted 2008-06-30 12:34:16)
I wonder who is making the decisions in Tampa right now. They had cap space and a great opportunity to improve their blue line and they go out and splurge on a 25 goal scorer. This seems like a reactionary move by the owners because Malone was on the Penguins so therefore he must be acquired. Malone got 58 points last year playing with Malkin. He shouldn't be locked up for seven years. Basically, the lightning got rid of Richard's(A conn smythe trophy winner) huge salary and give most of it to Ryan Malone. They're screwing up again. In 5 years when they're low on draft picks and have Ryan Malone's salary on the books and no Dan Boyle they are going to be a laughing stock again.
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