NHL
Ryan Malone Comes Out of Retirement
By Gawd, that’s Ryan Malone‘s music! Pittsburgh native Ryan Malone came out of retirement, Thursday, and agreed to a professional tryout with the Minnesota Wild.
Malone, 37, last played in the NHL in 2014-15 when he was scoreless in six games with the New York Rangers. That season, Malone scored 10 points (4g, 6a) in 24 games with the Rangers AHL affiliate in Hartford.
The power forward will turn 38 on December 1. Malone was a fourth round draft choice by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1999. His father, Greg, was then the head scout for the Penguins. After four seasons at St. Cloud State, Malone played four seasons with the Penguins and was part of the franchise turnaround.
After four seasons at St. Cloud State, Malone played four seasons (2003-2008) with the Penguins and was part of the franchise turnaround. The Penguins finished in the bottom three from 2004-2006 before making it to the Stanley Cup Final in 2008.
Malone bolted for the Tampa Bay Lightning via free agency, in 2008, and played six seasons for the Bolts.
His best season was 2007-08 with the Penguins. He scored 27 goals and 24 assists with 103 penalty minutes.
Malone encountered personal struggles in April 2014. He was arrested for DUI and cocaine possession. Malone skated the following season with the Rangers before retiring. He has 370 points (179g, 191a) in 647 games.
Forward Ryan Malone will come to #mnwild training camp on a professional tryout. pic.twitter.com/BE3FgRiJjZ
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) August 31, 2017
Olympic Possibility
The NHL’s draconian prohibition on AHL players with an NHL contract playing in the Winter Olympics could open the door for “Bugsy” to play for a gold medal. Malone could accept an AHL only contract, then join the national team.
Harry Z PTO
AHL journeyman and former Pittsburgh Penguin, Harry Zolnierczyk signed a PTO with the Florida Panthers. Zolnierczyk, who turns 30 today (September 1), could play for his sixth NHL team.
“Harry Z” played for the Nashville Predators last season. He scored four points (2g, 2a) in 24 games and had three points in 11 playoffs games, including one in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Zolnierczyk played college hockey for Brown, has also played for the Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders, and Anaheim Ducks.