The Lightning's new owners have made a splash the size of a cannonball with the signing of Ryan Malone to a seven-year deal worth $31.5 million. But Len Barry and Oren Koules have jumped in without a life jacket on this deal. And the ramifications are immense.
Malone is 27 years old and coming off a career season. He set personal bests in goals, assists, points, power-play goals (11) and game-winning goals (six) last season. But his 27 goals and 51 points look eerily similar to kind of return Freddy Bam-Bam Modin delivered the Bolts a few years back. And for a LOT less money.
The Bolts struggled last season with a small handful of top-heavy contracts, enough so that they traded away former Conn Smythe winner, Brad Richards, and rumors still exist they might have to deal Dan Boyle for the same reason.
Who would you rather have? Ryan Malone in a deal that will pay him between $7 and $8 million in the first two years? Or Brad Richards for the next three seasons at $7.8 million per year?
I'd take Richards over Malone any day. On the ice and in fantasy, too. Brad Richards and Steven Stamkos together looks a heck of a lot better than Malone and Stamkos.
Will NHL owners (and general managers) ever learn? This Malone deal is NUTS!
Posted by Janet Eagleson at 6/29/2008 6:58:00 PM |
