Malone -- who was in camp on a professional tryout -- was cut by the Wild on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Malone was not actually hoping to ink an NHL deal and instead was hoping to use the tryout as a springboard for an AHL-only contract. With just a minor-league contract, the veteran si be eligible to play in the 2018 Winter Olympics, which has been his stated goal all along.

Malone, who was placed on unconditional waivers Tuesday, is expected to retire from professional hockey, The Hockey News reports. TSN's Bob McKenzie reports that Malone, who has been playing at AHL Hartford since November, told the Rangers that he wanted to "pack it in." Once he clears waivers, the Rangers are expected to terminate his contract. The 35-year-old has 179 goals and 370 points across 647 career NHL games with the Penguins, Lightning, and Rangers.

Malone was placed on waivers Tuesday, ESPN's Pierre LeBrun reports. Malone, who has 370 career NHL points, has been with AHL Hartford since November. He probably won't draw much interest, as he only has 10 points in 24 AHL games this season.

The Rangers reassigned Malone to AHL Hartford on Monday, Andrew Gross of the Record reports. The 34-year-old winger has suited up for six games with the Rangers this season, but failed to record a point, so he'll head to Hartford until the Rangers need help with their forward depth.

Malone remains with the Rangers despite going unclaimed off waivers, Steve Zipay of Newsday reports. As a 34-year-old NHL veteran, Malone doesn't have much to gain by heading to the minors, so the Rangers will keep him around as a depth forward and practice player until further notice. Unless the Rangers decide to reassign him, Malone will be eligible to appear in games, though he figures to serve as a regular healthy scratch for the team.

Malone was placed on waivers by the Rangers on Sunday, Elliotte Friedman of Hockey Night in Canada reports. Malone has dressed for just five games this season and hasn't recorded a point. If he passes through waivers unclaimed, he will then have to decide whether or not to accept an assignment to the AHL.

Malone will dress for Monday's tilt against Minnesota, reports Steve Zipay of Newsday. No word yet on who he will line up with, but it's very likely he garner less than 15 minutes of total ice time. Malone, who has appeared in just half of the team's eight games could also see some ice time on the team's second power play unit. Through four contests, the 34-year-old Malone (minus-1) has yet to register a point while logging five shots on goal. Although Malone's progress should remain on your radar, he's not worthy of a speculative pickup in any format until he starts finding the lineup and score cards consistently.

Malone will make his Rangers debut Tuesday against the Islanders, Andrew Gross of the Bergen Record reports. Malone sat out the Rangers' first three games as a healthy scratch, but coach Alain Vigneault will use Tuesday as an opportunity to experiment with some new line changes. Wingers J.T. Miller and Jesper Fast will sit out to create room for Malone's entry into the lineup, but both figure to be more regular fixtures in the bottom-six than Malone in the games to come.

Malone was scratched Sunday for the third straight game, Newsday reports. Malone appears to be on the outside looking in, as he's yet to play in a regular season game. The veteran tallied just 15 points last season and posted a minus-seven rating in an average of 11:47 of ice time.

Malone (hip) hopes to play in the Rangers' final two preseason games, Andrew Gross of The Record reports. Malone returned to practice Wednesday, and with Friday being the team's next game, will work towards being ready for that day. He is battling several other candidates for a few forward spots, and will likely need to impress over the final two preseason games to earn a spot.