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Malone pleads no contest to DUI; cocaine possession charge could be dismissed

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

On Tueday, Ryan Malone took a step towards clearing up his murky legal situation.

The former Lightning winger, who was arrested in April for driving under the influence and possession of cocaine, plead no contest to the DUI charge and agreed to a pre-trial intervention program for the possession charge.

More, from the Tampa Bay Times:

With pre-trial intervention program, Malone’s charge of cocaine possession will be dismissed if he completes requirements.

— Joe Smith (@TBTimes_JSmith) August 19, 2014


Malone, 34, was arrested just prior to Tampa Bay’s opening-round playoff against Montreal and bought out of the final year of his contract in June. According to a police report, Malone told the arresting officer he was “shocked” about possessing cocaine, and “baffled” by its appearance as he’d been wearing the same jeans for three straight days.

With his legal issues potentially behind him, it sounds as though Malone -- an unrestricted free agent -- will start looking for work. Agent Mike Liut said a couple of teams have expressed interest in the six-time 20-goal scorer and former U.S. Olympian.