Ex-Penguin Malone looking for 2nd chance | TribLive 

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With forwards Steve Downie and Daniel Carcillo, the Penguins aren't lacking for potential projects.

Could the return of Upper St. Clair native Ryan Malone be next?

General manager Jim Rutherford isn't saying. But interest on Malone's part is tangible.

“There's a natural attraction there,” said Malone's agent, Mike Liut. “He grew up there. He played there. They lost in the (Stanley Cup) Final when he was there. There's that association.

“But management (now) is completely different. I have talked to Pittsburgh about him throughout the summer. They're kicking tires. They've expressed some interest, but it's just that. Which is fine.

“There isn't anything where I can say, ‘Hey, this is what we're going to do.' Hopefully I can next week.”

Adding Malone would give the Penguins a proven power forward and six-time 20-plus-goal scorer, including with the Penguins between 2003-08. In 641 games with the Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning, the 6-foot-4, 224-pound Malone has 370 points and 179 goals.

However, signing Malone — or offering him a professional tryout contract as the Penguins did with Carcillo — could carry baggage.

In April, Malone was arrested in Tampa, Fla., and charged with driving under the influence and cocaine possession.

He pleaded no contest to DUI and agreed to a pretrial diversion program that would dismiss the cocaine charge.

Rutherford said the Penguins “are still open” to adding players but stressed, “We are getting to the point where we're getting to the numbers that (head coach) Mike (Johnston) prefers to have in camp.”

“We don't close the door on anything,” Rutherford added.

Liut said he's talked with several teams but declined to elaborate.

One potential suitor appears to be the New York Rangers, who passed on re-signing Carcillo but reportedly have shown interest in adding Malone, 34, after the Lightning used an amnesty buyout on him.

“He's worked diligently at (conditioning) this summer,” Liut said. “I don't think that's really an issue. Training camp will be an opportunity for him to show that.”

Malone just needs someone to take a chance.

“This is going to be an opportunity for Ryan to get back into the game and hopefully play another three or four years,” Liut said. “You're looking for a team to say, ‘This is someone we want to give a chance to. We know him.'

“You make mistakes in life, and hopefully you can move past it.”

Jason Mackey is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at jmackey@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Mackey_Trib.

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