Today, the New York Islanders have extended a former first-round pick. This is after he spent the last year and a half reestablishing himself in the NHL. Tony DeAngelo has made his second chance in the NHL count, after being picked 19th overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning. He was playing in the KHL before the Islanders brought him in halfway through the 2024-25 season. During his tenure with the team, the 30-year-old defenceman has played himself into a contract extension. The deal he signs is for two seasons, with an average annual value of $4.5 million.
Tony DeAngelo Contract Extension
Credit Image: © Kostas Lymperopoulos/Cal Sport Media
DeAngelo has been solid since he returned to New York after spending four seasons with the New York Rangers. Last season in particular, DeAngelo played well in a big role on the Islanders’ blueline. He logged heavy minutes, played in all situations and was an important player to their success. He appeared in 76 games and recorded five goals and 30 assists for 35 points, while averaging 19:08 in ice time per game. He showed the speed, skill, puck-moving and defensive ability that made him a first-round pick all those years ago.
Tony DeAngelo re-signs in NYI
2 X 4.5M
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 26, 2026
What Does It Mean?
This extension means that the Islanders were able to bring back a solid and important player. It works out for both the player and the team. The player gets paid while also staying in a place he is comfortable with, and the team fills an area of need with a player they are familar with. DeAngelo will likely slot back into a similar role that he played last year. That would be as a second-pairing defenceman and quarterbacking the second power-play unit.
DeAngelo being back could also be beneficial off the ice as well. With a young 18-year-old up-and-coming superstar, Matthew Schaefer, on the team, he could use someone to keep his head on straight. DeAngelo can be that person for Schaefer. With him being around a few teams, and having some off-the-ice trouble that led to that, and being out of the NHL not too long ago. He had to learn the hard way not to take things for granted. He can help Schaefer, so he doesn’t make the same mistakes that he did when he was a young, inexperienced player in the league. Either way, on the ice or off it, the Islanders will be happy to have Tony DeAngelo back.
Main Photo Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
