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Bolts’ Malone upset with being a healthy scratch... again

Predators Lightning Hockey

Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Ryan Malone (12) during the second period of an NHL preseason hockey game against the Nashville Predators Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

AP

Tampa Bay forward Ryan Malone will be a healthy scratch for the third consecutive game on Monday when the Bolts host the Coyotes at the Times Forum -- and, according to reports, he’s none too pleased about it.

#tblightning veteran wing Ryan Malone admits he’s not happy bout being healthy scratch four straight games, but will stay ready for his turn

— Joe Smith (@TBTimes_JSmith) March 10, 2014


(Note: It’s the third game, not the fourth.)

Malone, 34, hasn’t played since a 4-2 loss to St. Louis on Mar. 4. That game was the last of a 12-game pointless streak that saw the veteran winger go minus-4 with diminished ice time (just over 10 minutes against the Blues.)

This season has not been kind to the former Penguin and U.S. Olympian. A big-bodied power forward (6-foot-4, 225 pounds), Malone missed 16 games with a foot injury and his production has suffered, scoring just five goals and 12 points in 46 games while averaging a career-low 12:22 TOI per game.

Compounding matters is Malone’s contract -- a bloated seven-year, $31.5 million deal with a $4.5 million annual cap hit. It’s possible Malone could be a buyout candidate this summer, though it’s also possible Tampa Bay will have him play out the final season of his deal.