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.
