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Malone's Signing With Lightning All But Done

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON The Tampa Tribune

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 30, 2008

TAMPA - TAMPA - Lightning ownership promised last week they would be "shockingly aggressive" when it came to the free agent market.

Saturday they walked that walk. After Sunday, it appears Tampa Bay is ready to talk the talk.

Although nothing official is expected until today, the Lightning have made a pre-emptive strike in free agency, reportedly coming to terms on a long-term contract with forward Ryan Malone while a deal for left wing Gary Roberts also could be close to being announced. They were acquired from Pittsburgh on Saturday for a conditional 2009 draft pick and were scheduled to become unrestricted free agents Tuesday.

The Lightning didn't stop there, acquiring the rights to negotiate with pending unrestricted free agent Brian Rolston from the Minnesota Wild for a conditional third-round draft pick in 2010 that could turn into a different pick in 2009.

Rolston, 35, has scored at least 31 goals in each of his three seasons in Minnesota where he played with new Lightning assistant coach Wes Walz. The left winger is regarded as a top-level, two-way player capable of running the point on the power play and owns one of the top slap shots by a forward in the league.

Tampa Bay has until Tuesday to reach a deal with Rolston before he hits the open market, where he is expected to be among the top players available.

Malone, one of the more attractive free agents were he to reach the open market, is reported to have agreed to terms on seven-year, $31.5 million contract according to Canadian television station TSN, which also reported that the first two years of the deal will pay Malone between $7 and $8 million each year.

The annual cap hit for Malone's contract would be $4.5 million. Malone was believed to be seeking a deal in the neighborhood of $5 million per season.

Lightning owner Oren Koules was not available for comment, while Malone's agent, Mike Liut, did not return a message left at his office Sunday.

But one team source indicated while nothing had been finalized, talks were to the point of ironing out minor details late Sunday that something could be announced today, one day before free agency is scheduled to begin.

Saturday, Tampa Bay traded a fourth-round pick in 2009 to acquire the negotiating rights for both players, a pick that will become a third-round selection should a deal for Malone be announced today as expected.

A contract for Roberts, a 21-year veteran who won a Stanley Cup with Calgary in 1989, also could be announced today after Rogers Sportsnet reported on its Web site Sunday that a one-year deal for Roberts could pay him up to $2 million, including bonuses, with a base salary expected to be in the $1 million range. The 42-year-old had believed to be seeking a deal with a team closer to his home in Southern Ontario, but agreed to waive a no-trade clause to negotiate with the Lightning.

As a prototype power forward, Malone's stock rose considerably during the playoffs as he scored six goals and added 16 points in 20 playoff games, helping the Penguins reach the Stanley Cup final. He scored 27 goals during the regular season and has scored 20 or more goals in three of his four seasons in the NHL and was a member of the All-Rookie team in 2004.

In 299 career games, the Pittsburgh native has 87 goals and 169 points. Malone is expected to fill a second-line role on a line centered by overall No. 1 draft pick Steven Stamkos, while likely providing a presence in front of the net on the power play.

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