Peter Diana, Post-Gazette Ryan Malone is one of two restricted free agents the Penguins have not yet signed. Click photo for larger image.

There was a time, Ryan Malone said, when he would have taken this all personally.

When he would have agonized over why the team for which he did so much during his rookie season -- and which seems to hope for so much from him in the future -- appears reluctant to pay what he deems a fair salary.

Over whether management viewed his contribution in 2003-04 as equal parts flash and fluke.

Over whether he has a real future here.

Not anymore, though.

Malone hasn't forgotten that, with training camp opening Sept. 13, he remains unsigned. That would be tough. Nonetheless, he avoids a crisis of confidence by refusing to blur the line between personal and professional relationships.

"At first, you do kind of take it personally, but [then] you realize it is a business," Malone said yesterday. "Craig [Patrick, the Penguins' general manager], no matter what happens, I consider him a friend. I've obviously known him for a long time.

"It is business. He's doing what's best for his interests and what he thinks will help the team. I just can't really do anything about that."

Malone is one of two restricted free agents -- defenseman Brooks Orpik is the other -- the Penguins hope to sign before camp begins. Patrick, though, is approaching the talks with his customary patience, so there's little reason to believe a deal is imminent for either player.

Agent Lewis Gross, who represents Orpik, said yesterday that "I don't really have anything to report," and Malone's agent, Brian Lawton, said he has not spoken with Patrick recently and has no discussions scheduled.

Despite the lack of talks, Lawton said, "I'm sure [Malone's situation] will be resolved" by the start of camp. He attributed that feeling to "just a gut reaction" rather than some development in the talks, but it echoed cautious optimism expressed by Malone.

"I think Craig, hopefully, wants me to play," he said. "I don't think the money is too far off. I think we'll work something out."

That certainly would simplify his off-ice life. Malone got engaged to his college girlfriend this summer and plans to marry her in July; knowing where he'll be working in a few months would add some domestic stability.

"My fiancee hates this, not knowing where we're going to be, or if we're going to get a house," he said. "It's kind of tough."

That uncertainty is understandable, if only because it remains conceivable that another team would offer a contract to Malone, and the Penguins would decline to match it.

Lawton said, "I couldn't comment" on the possibility of another club signing Malone to an offer sheet, but the Penguins probably wouldn't allow him to leave, for several reasons.

It would be a major public-relations blow -- Malone is the franchise's first homegrown player and a fan favorite -- and a serious personnel setback, because he projects as one of their top forwards.

Malone, 25, had a team-high 22 goals as a rookie in 2003-04, his first season in the NHL, and is expected to get work at center on one of the top two lines during camp.

"Ryan Malone is a good player and a guy who's trending upward," Lawton said.

Malone has added 5 or so pounds, bumping his weight to "a little over 220," and contends that spending last season in Europe, with stops in Finland, Italy and Switzerland, accelerated his development.

"I became a better overall player, just from learning the different styles of play," he said. "It was fun. It was a good experience."

The experience ended abruptly when Malone's jaw was broken in a practice shortly after he arrived in Switzerland, but there are no residual effects of that injury.

"The surgery went well," he said. "I'll just move on. Hopefully, it doesn't happen again."

By the time he re-signs with the Penguins, Malone probably will feel the same way about drawn-out contract negotiations.

For the moment, though, he's trying to not dwell on the talks, even though he understands that it's always possible they could veer off in an unexpected direction at any time.

"I don't think it's that big a deal, but I'm not signed yet, so anything can still happen," Malone said. "Who knows what Craig's thinking right now? Who knows what could happen?

"This is a business and, hopefully, everything works out for the best for everybody."