When news broke this morning that Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Malone was arrested and charged for driving under the influence and cocaine possession, a sense of shock echoed throughout the hockey world. It’s not often that hockey players are painted in a negative light like this, so when it happens there’s a palpable impact.
Both NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly and Lightning General Manager Steve Yzerman
commented this morning and indicated that Malone’s future is unclear.
"We are aware of the situation this morning involving Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Malone. Under the terms of the collectively bargained joint NHL/NHLPA Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program, Mr. Malone is subject to mandatory evaluation and, if deemed necessary by the Program Doctors, treatment pursuant to the terms of that Program," NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said in a statement. "His future playing status, both in the near term and during the [Stanley Cup] Playoffs, will be determined in accordance the terms of our SABH Program."
[…]
"We are aware of the situation concerning Ryan Malone this morning," Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman said in a statement. "Ryan will not travel with the team to Washington today, but beyond that we cannot comment further at this time."
Substance abuse of this sort is obviously a very serious issue for Malone personally, but it also leads to questions about the potential effect on the Lightning room. This is yet another distraction in a season that has been full of adversity. As the team heads towards its first playoff berth since 2011, it has lost one of its most experienced skaters. While Malone has been largely ineffective this season, it’s impossible to take away the fact that he has been there and done that. The same can’t be said about many of Tampa’s young players.
It’s probably easy for some people to look at this situation and say that Malone can be forgiven immediately should he avoid prosecution. I vehemently disagree. As the good people over at
Bolt Prospects said this morning, “the cocaine possession in the Malone case makes this a no brainer. He can’t play for [Tampa] again.” I noted on Twitter shortly thereafter that the team shouldn’t allow Malone anywhere near the locker room moving forward. There’s an opportunity here to set an example and show that there’s exactly zero tolerance for this sort of behavior.
Also of note is the DUI that accompanied the cocaine possession charge. Malone's blood alcohol level at the time was well above the legal limit, and he was reportedly driving erratically. Drinking and driving is probably the worst part of all this, as he seriously could have hurt innocent bystanders. There's no defending drinking and driving.
I’m unaware of the circumstances surrounding moral clauses and NHL contracts, but it reasons to suggest that the Lightning will find some way to rid themselves of Ryan Malone before next season starts. If the team can’t simply void the contract as a result of this conduct, the organization still has a compliance buyout available for use. Yzerman has options, and it’s imperative that he make the most of them. Having this sort of influence and “leadership” around the team’s young core doesn’t make an ounce of sense.
Aside from the team aspect, there’s obviously the very real personal struggle for Malone that I’ve already alluded to. While I struggle to sympathize with the big forward, I do hope that he manages to find the help that he needs. I also hope that this was an isolated incident within the Lightning's room. Getting help through the league’s substance abuse program is a good first step, but the road to recovery is often a long one. I wish Bugsy the best.
As always, thanks for reading.
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