Tony DeAngelo Returns To NHL With New York Islanders

Tony DeAngelo Returns To NHL With The New York Islanders

Was Tony DeAngelo returning to the NHL on anyone’s bingo cards? Because it’s happening. And who else picks him up besides the New York Islanders. The team just confirmed the news minutes ago:

#Isles News: The New York Islanders have signed defenseman Tony DeAngelo to a one-year contract for the remainder of the 2024-25 season. pic.twitter.com/IeL4pBylzi

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 24, 2025

A notorious locker room cancer, the former first-round pick will now make his fifth professional stop, and his fourth Metropolitan Division team. Most recently, he put up 32 points in 34 games with St. Petersburg of the KHL. Even after putting up 42 points in 70 games two seasons ago, the Flyers had enough with him and placed him on unconditional waivers. Carolina ended up re-acquiring him but the fit was never really there. Here’s a better idea of the kind of player they’re dealing with:

It would appear that Tony DeAngelo's NHL career has come to an end. pic.twitter.com/bEm9Z1c1Y2

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) August 3, 2024

In a vacuum, you could say he deserved another shot in the league. But I say that based solely on on-ice performance. He put up some eye-popping numbers in Russia and obviously has some level of talent. Perhaps Lou Lamoriello believed the juice was worth the squeeze here. Especially since his team is running out of time to show that they can be competitive this season. One of the other motivating factors here is the status of Noah Dobson. He took a rough hit in the third period of the Isles’ last game against Columbus. He is now considered week-to-week per Stefen Rosner. The Islanders have been hit with the injury bug in many different ways this season, so DeAngelo serves as some form of defensive reinforcements.

Too Late For Last Chances?

While this is his likely last shot of staying in the NHL, this Islanders team is hanging on by a thread ahead of the trade deadline. They are currently eight points out of the last Wild Card spot while also having three games in hand over the incumbent Blue Jackets. If this team can’t make a run and get within striking distance of a playoff spot by mid-February, then the writing on the wall must be put into action.

Career Islander Brock Nelson is arguably the top pending free agent on the trade market. His hometown Minnesota Wild would love to have him among many others. The fate of the team will ultimately determine if he’s made available or not. From most people’s perspectives, it should not even be a question. On an offensively unimpressive team he is a perennial 30-goal scorer. His scoring clip is identical in the playoffs and can play on the center or wing. For an aging team, it makes little sense for the Isles to hand him a long-term deal with a raise on the $6 million he’s been making.

Maybe DeAngelo provides the spark to get the team going. However, I would be shocked if that’s the case. The Islanders have given away so many points that it’s too little too late. At least that’s what anyone who uses common sense should think.

Would The Bruins Actually Consider Trading Brad Marchand?

Barring a shocker, this will definitely be the news of the day. Tony DeAngelo has been given another chance to play in the NHL with the New York Islanders.

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