An excerpt from TSN:

Ryan Malone has agreed to a seven year, $31.5 million contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Malone, who would have drawn considerable interest from around the NHL as an unrestricted free agent, will earn between $7 and $8 million in each of the first two years of the deal.

Tampa Bay traded a third-round draft pick in 2009 to the Penguins in exchange for the exclusive negotiating rights to forwards Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts on Saturday. On Sunday, the Lightning and Malone’s camp got a deal done.

Habster:

It would appear the Tampa Bay Lightning’s gamble paid off dividends with the signing of Ryan Malone.

With a weak UFA market place at every position, Malone probably could have probably waited until July 1st and signed elsewhere for more money later in the contract. His contract with Tampa will be front end loaded (as noted in the above TSN excerpt) to make it easier for a potential buy-out later in the contract……welcome to the new buy-out world of the salary cap era.

If only Mats Sundin would see the Bleu, Blanc et Rouge light and follow it to Montreal’s centennial year celebration………Mats, follow the same light that Malone did, don’t be afraid!!!!