Ryan Malone 'grateful for the opportunity' given by Rangers

Things looked pretty bleak for Ryan Malone earlier this summer, facing DUI and cocaine possession charges and the subject of a compliance buyout used by the Tampa Bay Lightning. 

The 34-year-old, however, signed a two-way contract with the New York Rangers, and is "grateful for the opportunity" to keep his professional hockey career rolling in the Big Apple.

"There's a lot of hard work still to be put in just to earn a spot because this is a deep team," Malone said Tuesday, via the team's website. "I don't want to look too far down the road. I'm not going to win or lose a spot on the first day of training camp, so I have to go out there, work hard, do the right things, and show up and play well at those exhibition games.

"There's enough on the table to motivate myself," Malone continued, "but ultimately this is about being on a great hockey team – where I wanted to be."

Malone scored five goals and added 10 assists in 57 games with the Lightning this past season, but displayed the ability to be a consistent 20-goal scorer earlier in his career. 

Whether he can rebound from a down season and the serious off-ice issues and make an impact for the Rangers is yet to be determined. But, Malone admits, "as long as I keep going over the boards, I'm happy."

The Rangers will have a bevy of veterans and youngsters fighting for jobs come training camp, meaning Malone will have his work cut out for him in order to keep making that leap onto the ice.