Lightning Use Second Buy-Out on Ryan Malone

(source Dirk Shadd/Times)

Steve Yzerman and the Tampa Bay Lightning announced on Wednesday morning that they have used their second, and final, compliance buy-out, as allowed by the NHL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, on forward Ryan Malone. As per the CBA, the Lightning will pay two-thirds of the value of Malone’s existing contract when he becomes an unrestricted free agent.

After leaving the Penguins on June 28, 2008, Malone has spent the past six seasons with the Lightning playing in 342 games during that time. With the Lightning he has 92 goals, 30 power-play goals, 201 points, and a minus-28 rating. In his career, he has played in 641 games and has 179 goals, 370 points, 57 power-play goals, and 25 game-winning goals. In his 43 game post-season career, he has tallied nine goals and 22 points.

Malone gained scrutiny earlier this year when he was arrested for a DUI and charged with possession of cocaine.