Sean Malone spent three seasons in Rochester. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

West Seneca’s Sean Malone signs two-way contract with Predators

Forward Sean Malone’s time in the Buffalo Sabres organization has ended.

The West Seneca native has signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Nashville Predators for the 2020-21 season, the team announced today.

Malone, 25, spent the last three seasons with the Rochester Americans, compiling 28 goals and 65 points in 169 games. The Harvard graduate played one game with the Sabres, jumping straight to the NHL shortly after his college career ended in 2017.

Malone was one of the last players remaining from former general manager Darcy Regier’s tenure. The Sabres drafted Malone in sixth round in 2013, 159th overall.

Despite being picked by a different regime, Malone earned an NHL contract from Regier’s replacement, Tim Murray, and opportunities from Jason Botterill’s regime, which took over shortly after Malone’s debut in 2017.

When his entry-level contract expired last year, the Amerks re-signed Malone to an AHL contract. After an injury-plagued 2018-19 season, Malone enjoyed a stellar comeback year, morphing into a versatile presence for former Amerks coach Chris Taylor.

Malone compiled 12 goals, 30 points and plus-15 rating in 58 outings during the shortened season.

The Sabres fired Botterill and Taylor last month. Clarence native Kevyn Adams replaced Botterill. A replacement for Taylor hasn’t been named.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *