On August 31, 2017, Malone attempted a comeback to professional ice hockey after signing a professional try-out (PTO) contract with the Minnesota Wild to attend their training camp. He last played professionally during the 2014–15 season, but opted to return with hope of making the U.S. Olympic team for the 2018 Winter Olympics. After a successful camp with the Wild, Malone was released from his PTO and joined the Wild's AHL affiliate, the Iowa Wild, on a PTO to begin the 2017–18 season on October 5, 2017. He played in 12 games with Iowa, collecting 2 assists, before he was released after missing selection to the U.S. Olympic team on December 21, 2017.