Around the NHL

Coming off a career 27- goal season, rugged forward Ryan Malone has made it clear that he intends to cash in this summer on the open free agent market, which opens July 1. Responding to the week- long rumors of the Columbus Blue Jackets trying to trade for his rights, Malone who was an important part of the Pittsburgh Penguins run to the finals advised Columbus not to make a deal. “If Columbus was smart, they wouldn’t make the trade,” he said.

According to reports, the Blue Jackets were close to obtaining Malone’s rights from Pittsburgh and were willing to offer the Pittsburgh native a four or five year contract worth in the neighborhood of 4.5 to 5.5 million per year. “It was great in Pittsburgh while it lasted but they never made me a real offer,” Malone who broke his nose in the Stanley Cup finals said.

 

Prospal Going Back To Tampa Bay

 

Approximately four months after being traded to the Philadelphia Flyers, forward Vaclav Prospal is headed back to his former team the Tampa Bay Lightning. “Vinny really didn’t express much of an interest in coming back and playing for us next season,” said Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren who received a seventh round pick in this years draft and a conditional pick for next year as well. “His heart is elsewhere.” Prospal who was excited to leave Tampa last year for a chance to participate in the playoffs, had 14 points for the Flyers in 18 regular season games before exploding for 13 points in 17 playoff games as Philadelphia was eliminated in the 2008 Eastern Conference Finals. 

 

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