NHL Trade Rumors: Steve Yzerman Would Be Wise to Hold on to Ryan Malone

The Tampa Bay Lightning aren't dead yet, and they need Ryan Malone to continue their revival this season. General manager Steve Yzerman knows the NHL season is a long one, and he would be wise to hold onto Malone for rest of the year.

Sportingnews.com's Sean Gentille reports the Lightning's moves will dictate the trade market:

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With NHL trade rumors starting to pick up—the trade deadline is on Feb. 27—a chunk of the action will be dictated by whether the Tampa Bay Lightning decide to move players like Ryan Malone and Dominic Moore.

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The Lightning got off to a disappointing start after nearly reaching the Stanley Cup Finals last year. After starting 17-23-4, the Lightning have won six of their last eight. They are still 10 points out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, but with over 30 games remaining, there is still time to get in the playoffs.

This team is too talented to break up because of a slow start, especially with signs of a resurgence already appearing. With a team as talented as the Lightning, just getting into the playoffs could lead to a deep run. Malone has 27 points this season for the Lightning and he's been a part of their recent strong play, though he's day to day with an upper body injury currently.  

In 2009, the Chicago Blackhawks inched out the Dallas Stars for the final playoff spot by two points, and went on to win the Stanley Cup. The precedent has been set recently, and Stevie Y knows it's possible, but not if the team deals Malone.

Malone's $4.5 million salary hit is worth holding on to is it's for a shot at a Stanley Cup Finals run. TSN.com's Bob McKenie lists the Toronto Maple Leafs as a team that would love to add Malone for their cup run.

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Tampa's Ryan Malone was a player Toronto tried hard to get last year but now that his contract is waning and more affordable, Tampa has less interest than ever in moving him.

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The Maple Leafs are clinging to the seventh spot, but they are one of the teams the Lightning are chasing in the Eastern Conference. To trade Malone to them would be the epitome of waving the white flag, and that just is too drastic of a move.

Yzerman is showing the patience and poise that made him an all-time great as a player. That is exactly the leadership the Lightning need to weather this poor start and make something of this season.