Therien extended for three years by Penguins

From Seth Rorabaugh of Empty Netters:

The Penguins signed a three-year extension with head coach Michel Therrien. The deal will keep him behind the Penguin's bench until the 2010-11 season.

EN Says: We love this signing. Therrien inherited a mess from Ed Olczyk during the 2005-06 season and the franchise has done nothing but improve since that point. Granted, Therrien has had a roster of talent to deal with that could rival some international teams, but several coaches have failed when put in similar circumstances.

Read the entire post here.

Therien has always been a media target for criticism, mainly because of his temper, but he has done a terrific job in Pittsburgh. While you can argue the Penguins had the most talented team in the Eastern Conference last season, that doesn't always translate into strong defensive play. Nonetheless, the Penguins successfully shutdown the Senators/Rangers/Flyers without much difficulty and demonstrated a strong killer instinct in each series.

Therien's job will almost certainly be more difficult next season, with the loss of Marian Hossa and Ryan Malone, but he definitely earned this extension.

Lightning round out coaching staff and front office

From Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune:

Here’s some housekeeping by the team, naming Wes Walz, Rick Tocchet and Cap Raeder to the coaching staff while naming Tom Kurvers as assistant general manager, Greg Malone (yes, Ryan’s father) as head pro scout and Jim Hammett as
director of player personnel. Here are the press releases from the team:

The Tampa Bay Lightning have named Tom Kurvers to the position of assistant general manager, Jim Hammett to the position of director of player personnel and Greg Malone to the position of head professional scout, it was announced today by owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie.

Read the entire story here.

This story helps me understand why I saw Jay Feaster on my milk carton this morning...

Analyzing the Ryan Malone contract

After reading that Ryan Malone had signed a 7 year, $31.5 million dollar deal on Sunday afternoon, I have to admit, I wasn't overly surprised. The Bolts have made it be known they are going to be spending money, and all signs pointed to Malone getting a massive deal. Now that the deal is official, I can't say I think it is a good one.

I just have one question:

Is Ryan Malone that much different than Jarret Stoll?

If provided with the career numbers for both of these players, it would be almost impossible to determine who's who. Malone's career points-per-game is 0.57; whereas Stoll's career points-per-game is 0.58. Malone has played 299 career NHL games; whereas Stoll has played 286 career NHL games. Malone has averaged 18:10 minutes of ice-time over his career; whereas Stoll has averaged 17:00 minutes. Malone is a -27 +/- for his career; whereas Stoll is -12.

The list could go on and on, but the fact is that Malone is now making an average of $4.5 million per season and Stoll is coming off a season where he made $2.2 millon per season. Stoll will be hard pressed to make over $3 million next season. Without the public perception, these players' production are shockingly similar.

If Stoll were to get a 7 year contract worth $31.5 million this off-season from the Kings, would you approve? Not likely. In fact, the NHL would almost certainly be in an uproar. Even though Stoll is actually three years younger than Malone, can play the point on the power play and takes face-offs. Not to mention Stoll has never played with linemates named Malkin or Crosby.

Sometimes perception is not reality.

Bolts sign Malone

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.

Read the entire story here.

I'll have full analysis of this contract posted tomorrow morning.

Malone and Roberts traded to Lightning

From TSN:

The Tampa Bay Lightning's new ownership group vowed to be "staggeringly aggressive' in the NHL's free agent sweepstakes and they are trying to get a head start on that.

The Lightning have traded a fourth-round draft pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for the exclusive negotiating rights to forwards Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts, who are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents on July 1.

''We said earlier this week we would be aggressive in our pursuit of free agents in order to win and compete,'' Lightning owner Oren Koules said. ''This trade today doesn't guarantee anything, but we believe it gives us a leg up in our attempt to sign these two impact players.''

Read the entire story here.

Ladies and gentlemen, the NHL's version of Mark Cuban has arrived. The Bolts promised to spend money and, boy, they weren't lying. By acquiring the rights to Malone and Roberts, the Bolts have exclusive negotiating rights with the two through Tuesday. If they opted to give away a 4th round pick for that privilige, you have to think they will sign both players before that deadline arrives.

The Columbus free agency plan

From Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch:

With $36M accounted for, I'd say they have between $12 million and $15 million to spend. That puts them at $48M to $51M, while leaving play room at the trade deadline and for contracts that will be coming to roost over the next couple of summers. Zherdev next summer; Nash in 2010.

But I'll remind you, those numbers are not coming from the club. President Mike Priest has said all along that Howson will not have a hard cap, that the club will spend according to what's available.

I can't say I know what's going to happen in free agency. I know they want two defensemen and at least one forward, probably Ryan Malone.

Read Portzline's entire entry from Puck-Rakers here.

We have known for a while that the Jackets want Malone; the question is, does Malone want to play for the Blue Jackets? Also, I wonder which defensemen the Jackets will chase when free agency begins.

Malone would look nice alongside Rick Nash

From Michael Arace of the Columbus Dispatch:

There is no reason to believe that the Jackets won't be right in the middle of the bidding war. And Howson has made it known that he's ready to overpay for a free agent he wants and needs. If Malone is Howson's guy -- and I suspect that is the case -- then Malone might be looking at an offer from the Jackets worth something in the range of $6 million annually.

How's this for a line: Umberger between Rick Nash and Malone. Wouldn't that be a daunting mix? Malone will have to think about that, and think about Columbus, which is three hours from his hometown. He said he's open to the proposition. And this isn't news: Money talks come July 1.

Read Arace's entire article here.

That would be a massive top line for the Jackets. All three of those guys are sure tough to move off the puck. It will be interesting to see what type of deal Malone agrees to on the free agent market and how many teams give him serious offers. It sounds like a lot of teams have their eyes on him.

Malone wants to become UFA

From Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

Amid speculation that the Penguins were about to send Ryan Malone to a Western
Conference team for a player and/or draft pick, Malone's agent signaled last night that his client was not interested in such a deal and that Malone would rather wait to become an unrestricted free agent July 1.

Read more from the Post-Gazette here.

Also, here is the report on Malone from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

It looks like Malone was not happy with his possible trade destinations and has decided to test the market. You can't fault him for choosing to take this route, as it is within his right under the current CBA.

As for the Penguins, they have to be disappointed that they couldn't get anything in return for their impending free agent.

Blue Jackets expect to be busy

From Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch:

After months of planning and strategy, the Blue Jackets' summer of significant change is nearing the launch pad.

A trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins for the negotiating rights to winger Ryan Malone could be struck today or, more likely, Wednesday, NHL sources told The Dispatch.

Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets continue to make and receive calls for the sixth and 19th overall picks in this weekend's NHL draft, hoping to use either to land a No. 1 center.

"There's lots of interest," Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson said. "I'm taking as many calls as I'm making right now."

Read more speculation about the Blue Jackets here.

The speculation surrounding the Blue Jackets is certainly consistent. The team obviously has lots of interest in Ryan Malone and the article points out that we should hear back on that possibly within the next day or two.

As for their draft choices, Scott Howson is a patient GM, so I can see him going right up until the first few picks of the draft before pulling a deal for a top-line center or top-pair defenseman.

Expect the Blue Jackets to be active

From Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch:

On July 1, free agency opens with the Blue Jackets having between $16
million and $20 million in play money. They won't be going after role players
this summer.

Howson has said he'll consider all roads possible toward improving the Blue
Jackets -- trades, free agent signings, offer sheets to restricted free agents,
etc.

"It's an exciting time," Howson said. "The pressure comes internally as
much as externally. We have a lot of work to do. It's a big challenge. But
there's a lot of anticipation as we draw closer to the time when the activity
really starts to pick up."

Read the entire article here.

The Blue Jackets have been linked to a lot of possible free agent signings and trades over the past few weeks. Most of the time, the rumors have centered around acquiring Patrick Marleau and Ryan Malone. Time will tell if those players are suiting up in Ohio next season; but this much is certain, Scott Howson is a smart man who will not let a chance at short-term success get in the way of his long-term plan.

It all depends on Hossa

From Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch:

It's all up to Pittsburgh Penguins winger Marian Hossa now. The Penguins have made Hossa a long-term contract offer -- believed to be seven years, $50 million -- and expect to hear back from him in a couple of days.

If Hossa accepts the contract -- and the Penguins expect he will -- Ryan Malone's days in the Steel City are finished.

At that point, it's believed the Blue Jackets will swoop in and trade for Malone's negotiating rights to get him signed before the July 1 free agency free-for-all. What will the Blue Jackets give up? I've heard Dan Fritsche, straight up, and I've heard a second- or third-round draft pick.

Read more about Malone, and the possibility of other Blue Jackets acquisitions here.

Wow, this is quite the competition for Ryan "Ho" Malone. First off, if Hossa accepts that offer, the Penguins will be set with quite the core for a long time.

As for Malone, Portzline points out that the reason the Jackets would trade for his rights is because the Wild want his services too. If the Penguins can come out of this week with Hossa signed, a pending deal with Malkin and compensation for Ryan Malone then Ray Shero will be given an A for his work.

Letting Malone walk

From Seth Rorabaugh of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

According to the report the Penguins are close to a contract extension with Evgeni Malkin and they might be able to hang on to Marian Hossa. If they keep both of those players, Malone would be shown the door.

If that's the case, we have no problem with it. Marian Hossa and Evgeni Malkin are special players. Ryan Malone isn't. If the only price to pay to keep Hossa and Malkin is parting ways with Malone, so be it.

Don't get us wrong. We're not putting Malone down. He had a career year. He found his place as a power forward and did a wonderful job in front of the net on the Penguins' power play and what was their top line for most of the season. He killed penalties and was more than willing to defend his teammates with his fists. He was a big part of the Stanley Cup run.

Read the rest of his entry from Empty Netters here.

Rorabaugh is exactly right here. Malone was certainly terrific down the stretch this season, but you don't keep Malone if it keeps you from re-signing a Marian Hossa or Evgeni Malkin.

Malone done in Pittsburgh?

From Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch:

Ryan Malone is not going to sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins, unless the Penguins significantly up their offer. It's looking more and more like the Penguins will get Evgeni Malkin signed to a contract extension and be able to keep right winger Marian Hossa. That will show Malone to the door.

An NHL source said that Malone has been low-balled twice by the Penguins and is ready to leave July 1 as an unrestricted free agent. Malone's rights could be traded before that day, of course, and the Blue Jackets are a likely destination.

The source said the Penguins have already made the Blue Jackets an offer for Malone's rights. Not sure what the offer was, or if the Blue Jackets are still contemplating it. But this could go down pretty quick, folks.

Malone would definitely be happy to play for the Blue Jackets, a source said.

Read more NHL rumors from Puck-Rakers here.

The Penguins cap situation is obviously dictating their interest in Malone. As Portzline writes, if the team is hoping to re-sign both Malkin and Hossa, then Malone is a luxury the team cannot afford.

Malone's agent and Shero begin talks on new contract

From Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

After the Game 6 loss to the Detroit Red Wings last week, several of the potential free agents spoke about wanting to remain in Pittsburgh. Malone, who grew up in Upper St. Clair, has some strong feelings about remaining with the Penguins, but it remains to be seen whether he will give them the so-called hometown discount.

"We don't know what the discount is," Liut said. "We do our homework and look at possibilities out there, see where opportunities are. But where you're playing and who you're playing with is important. When you challenge for the Stanley Cup, it's hard to get back. It's tough to win the Stanley Cup. That's why you play hockey. Right now, he's a Pittsburgh Penguin. If it gets to July 1, you start to look around. [The hometown discount] plays in, but if July 1 comes around, you have to make decisions."

Read the entire article here.

Clearly Malone's agent Mike Liut is going to stress exploring other options after July 1st. That is his job and will almost certainly drive Malone's price up even more if the Penguins want to re-sign him. Reading into what Liut said in the piece, it seems that the Pens are still sorting out how they want to tackle possible salary cap issues with so many important free agents due up in the next year. Time will tell how they decide to handle the cap issues.

NHL Morning Papers: Stanley Cup Finals Edition (Thursday)

Here are the morning papers for the Stanley Cup Finals which were completed last night at the Mellon Arena...

Detroit Red Wings (1) versus Pittsburgh Penguins (2):

• Henrik Zetterberg was better than Sidney Crosby in the Finals, writes Michael Rosenberg. Helene St. James tells readers how the Wings were victorious on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, Mitch Albom reviews every important aspect of the 2008 Wings squad in a terrific end of season article. Preconceptions were destroyed last night, writes Drew Sharp of of the Detroit Free Press. It is impossible to get sick of winning Lord Stanley's Cup, opines Bob Wojnowski. Detroit is ready to celebrate, as the Red Wings parade has been scheduled for 11am EST on Friday.
• The city of Pittsburgh was so crazy over the Penguins, that 3,000 fans watched the game on a big screen outside of Mellon Arena. Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette gives readers a review of the game that eliminated the pesky Penguins. While the end wasn't what they wanted, the Penguins sure had a successful season, writes Bob Smizik. There aren't many players tougher than Ryan Malone. They may have been eliminated, but people in Pittsburgh are excited about the future of the Penguins organization.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

Email any thoughts, ideas or suggestions to illegalcurve@gmail.com

NHL Morning Papers: Stanley Cup Finals Edition (Wednesday)

Here are the morning papers for the Stanley Cup Finals which resume tonight at Mellon Arena...

Detroit Red Wings (1) versus Pittsburgh Penguins (2):

• Bob McKenzie of TSN does not think the Penguins have as much momentum as some are saying. After trailing 2-0 in Game 4, the Wings are looking to get off to a hot start tonight, writes Helene St. James. Meanwhile, Drew Sharp is still angry about the refereeing on Monday night. Mike Babcock did not like the officiating in overtime either. Nonetheless, the Wings head coach believes his team will win, if it doesn't panic after the result of Game 4.
• Ryan Malone's willingness to sacrifice his body has certainly not gone unnoticed by his Penguins teammates. Petr Sykora may not have been as confident he was going to score as he seemed to be. Playing on one night's rest after a marathon Game 5 is as much a mind-game as anything else, writes Chuck Finder. Are the Penguins on their way to creating a new miracle on ice?

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

Email any thoughts, ideas or suggestions to illegalcurve@gmail.com