Malone Agrees To Terms With Rangers: "It's A Great Opportunity" | Blueshirts United 

When Ryan Malone became an unrestricted free agent on July 1st, Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather reached out immediately to the rugged forward, who had just had his contract bought out by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Now more than two months later Malone is a Ranger, officially agreeing to terms with the club on Thursday afternoon.

"My agent had been contacted by a few teams, but I spoke with Glen on July 1st and this is a great opportunity, it's a great team with great young talent," Malone told reporters after taking part in an informal skate with Rangers players in Westchester earlier this week. "This is something I'd love to be a part of if the opportunity presented itself."

A six-time 20-goal scorer in his ten-year National Hockey League career, Malone brings plenty of size, toughness, experience and skill to the Rangers. He says that he is open to playing whatever role Alain Vigneault envisions for him this upcoming season.

"There's lots of competition here, for sure," offered the 34 year-old six-foot-four Malone. "I just have to worry about myself and bring my game and hopefully that fits in here. Obviously I have some experience and I bring that physical aspect to the game, using my size, sticking up for my teammates. I'll do whatever it takes here to be part of a winning organization."

Malone struggled with health and production on ice the past two seasons with the Lightning, totaling just 11 goals in 81 games combined. He has stressed that he is eager to prove himself again in 2014-15.

"Last year is not the way I wanted it to go, especially at the end," explained Malone, who has scored 179 career goals and totaled 689 career penalty minutes with the Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins. "I am looking for an opportunity to show the kind of person I am both on and off the ice. I am healthy and in good shape; and everything off ice is going well. I learned from my mistake off the ice and now just want to be part of something special."

Malone joins Lee Stempniak, Tanner Glass, and Matthew Lombardi as veteran forwards signed by the Rangers during the off-season. Youngsters J.T. Miller, Oscar Lindberg, Jesper Fast, Kevin Hayes, Ryan Haggerty, and Danny Kristo are also expected to be in the competition for forward spots when training camp opens on September 19th.

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