The Tampa Bay Lightning have picked up the 29-year-old left wing Ryan Malone signing him to a seven-year $31.5 contract.
By signing a one year
$1.25 million contract with the Lightning
Gary Roberts has ensured that he will be playing his 22nd season in the NHL with his sixth team.
Roberts was injured for most of his last season with the Penguins, playing in only 38 games. He did, however, bring some experience to the young team being one of the few Penguins to have previously won a Stanley Cup championship.
And that experience and leadership are what the Lightning hope Roberts will bring to their team.
Malone was born and raised in Pittsburgh and the Penguins were his first team in the NHL. In his final season with the team he scored 27 goals with 24 assists. In game one of the Stanley Cup Finals Malone broke his nose from a check by Niklas Kronwall, but he continued playing. In game five he took a slap shot from teammate Hal Gill, opening a gash on his face and damaging his nose. He returned for the rest of the game. His father, Greg Malone, also played for the Penguins.
In exchange for Roberts and Malone the Penguins have received the Lightning's third round draft choice for the 2009 season.
