Ryan Malone

With less than 72 hours until they become unrestricted free agents, Pittsburgh has traded Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts to Tampa Bay in exchange for a draft choice that is conditional on the Lightning's ability to sign Malone before Tuesday.

TSN reports Ryan Malone has decided to test the free agent waters.

In response to a question from a Pittsburgh television station, Malone text-messaged "It's UFA for sure." 

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John Tavares, touted to be the top pick of the 2009 draft, has signed to be represented by the hockey wing of the Creative Artists Agency, which also has Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews.

Tavares's agent is Pat Brisson, who also represents Mark Streit. 

The Columbus Dispatch reports the Canadiens are interested in acquiring one of the Blue Jackets' first-round picks.

Columbus has the 6th and 19th choices. In addition to the Canadiens, San Jose, Ottawa and Florida are on the prowl.

Columbus probably won't make a deal until the first five choices have been made. The Blue Jackets would like to acquire a centre for Rick Nash and a Top Two puck-moving defenceman.

San Jose could fullfil the first need by dealing Patrick Marleau to Columbus. Marleau has a no-trade clause that kicks in July 1, and he will become expendable, for salary-cap reasons, if the Sharks sign Brian Campbell before he becomes a UFA.

Columbus is also talking to Pittsburgh about acquiring the rights to Ryan Malone. The Penguins have no draft choices through the first three rounds and would like to get some. Also, if Marian Hossa accepots the Pittsburgh offer – $50 million for seven years – the Penguins can't afford to keep Malone.

Columbus would pay Malone $4.5 million to $5 million per season in a four- or five-year deal.

While scoring 27 goals and establishing himself as a top-tier power forward, Malone made $1.45 million in 2007-'08.