Report: Lightning's Malone could still be the subject of compliance buyout despite legal issues

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Malone, who was arrested and charged with DUI and cocaine possession in early April, was a likely compliance buyout candidate even before his legal troubles; due mostly to his flagging offensive production and out-sized cap-hit.

Malone has battled a myriad of injuries while managing just 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points in 81 games over the past two seasons. He has two years remaining on a seven-year, $31.5 million dollar contract signed prior to the beginning of the 2008-09 season.

While Malone's contract carries a $4.5 million cap-hit for each of the next two years, he's due only $5 million in total salary in those seasons. Presumably that could make him a modestly attractive asset for a budget conscious "floor team," but that was before his arrest.

The Lightning grinder has pleaded not guilty to the charges, but as Tampa Bay Times reporter Damian Cristodero points out: "Given the circumstances, that seems a formality while his attorney tries to work out a deal with prosecutors." A trial date has not been set for Malone, as of this writing. 

Cristodero also suggests that Malone's pending legal issues will not impact the Lightnings' ability to exercise a "compliance buyout" on the final two years of Malone's contract:

That Malone is in the Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program run jointly by the league and players association might not matter. Though the collective bargaining agreement does not specifically address the issue, it is believed the NHL's position is a player in the program can be bought out because his absence from the team is not hockey related.

The Lightning used their first of two possible compliance buyouts on Vincent Lecavalier's contract last summer, so the franchise has one buyout of the compliance variety remaining to use on Malone's deal should they decide to use it. The buyout window opens on June 15th or 48 hours after the end of the Stanley Cup Final (whichever is later), and closes on June 30th.

Should the Lightning decide not to use a compliance buyout this summer, they'll be unable to do so for the remainder of the term of the current NHL/NHLPA collective bargaining agreement.