Malone (hip flexor) returned to practice Wednesday, Andrew Gross of the Bergen Record reports. With the Rangers not playing their next preseason contest until Friday, it looks like Malone will still have some time to nurse himself back to full health before making a final push for a roster berth. The Rangers have several candidates for a minute number of forward spots, meaning Malone may need to impress over the final two games in order to secure a gig.

Malone is day-to-day with a hip flexor injury, Andrew Gross of The Record reports. It is unclear when Malone got the injury, but nevertheless it does not appear serious, and he should still be ready to play when the regular season starts.

Malone netted a first period powerplay goal in Sunday's preseason loss to the Devils. Malone, who is on a long list of players vying for a few open spots played on the team's fourth line with Dominic Moore and Jesper Fast. If the five time 20-goal is going to stick around for the regular season he'll have to consistently chip in offensively.

Malone signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Rangers on Thursday, Larry Brooks of the New York Post reports. The deal is worth $700,000 at the NHL level. Malone could only secure a minimal commitment from the Rangers after an Apr. 12 arrest for DUI and cocaine possession understandably resulted in a cool market for the veteran winger. Even prior to the arrest, Malone's career was on shaky ground, as his annual injury issues and declining on-ice production had relegated the one-time 50-point scorer to checking line status. He'll be one of a slew of players competing for a fourth-line role with the Rangers in training camp, with his two-way contract likely working against him.

The Penguins may have some interest in signing Malone, reports the Pittsburgh Tribune. "I have talked to Pittsburgh about him throughout the summer," said Malone's agent Mike Liut. "They're kicking tires. They've expressed some interest, but it's just that. Which is fine." Malone grew up in the area and Liut admits there's "a natural attraction there" for his client. Malone would come with serious baggage, though, considering his DUI and cocaine possession charges this past April. Liut said he's talked to several teams, but wouldn't elaborate on which ones.

Malone pleaded no contest Tuesday to his DUI charge stemming from an April arrest, but did agree to a pretrial diversion program for the cocaine possession charge he received in the same incident, Matt Baker of the Tampa Bay Times reports. The diversion program will help Malone's chances of getting the felony drug charge dismissed if he completes the required criteria. Malone's pending legal issues have made teams reluctant to extend a contract offer just yet, but several clubs are said to be interested in the 34-year-old. Once he completes the program and completes community service for his DUI charge, Malone should latch on with a team.

Malone was "baffled" when officers found cocaine in his back pocket when they pulled him over in April, reports the Tampa Bay Times. "I asked where it came from," officer Andrew Visser wrote in his report. "And he said he was just shocked." Malone's next court date is August 19 and he could work out a plea on the DUI and possession charges. He says he has no idea where the cocaine came from because he had worn the same pants for three days. He's an unrestricted free agent and his agent Mike Liut says a couple of teams have expressed interest in the winger. "I think he'll land somewhere," Liut said. "It's just a matter of where and when."

The Tampa Bay Lightning have reportedly bought out Ryan Malone. That's not too surprising after Malone scored just five goals and 15 points in 57 games in 2013-14. The Lightning will save $4.5 million in cap space for the 2014-15 campaign as they still had a compliance buyout available. That will free up some room to comfortably work Ryan Callahan into their budget.

Ryan Malone entered written plea of not guilty at his arraignment on Monday. He is facing DUI and cocaine possession charges for an arrest on April 12. The Tampa Bay Lightning may decide to buy out the last year of his contract shortly due to his declining play and diminishing role with the club.

There is a very real chance that Ryan Malone's contract will be bought out in the next few days. NHL teams can use their compliance buyouts two games after the Stanley Cup has been awarded and that period would start on Sunday and end June 30th. The Bolts have one more buyout available to them after using their first last season on Vincent Lecavalier. The move could save Tampa $4.5 million and the bad publicity that will accompany Malone as he deals with cocaine possession and DUI charges.