News came Monday that former NHL defenceman Tony DeAngelo signs in Russia. The New Jersey native has signed a one-year deal with SKA St. Petersburg. Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.
"I'm excited to be here."
Tony DeAngelo on joining @hcSKA_News. pic.twitter.com/NInzIPiaot
— KHL (@khl_eng) September 23, 2024
Tony DeAngelo Signs with SKA
After a second stint in Carolina, Tony DeAngelo finds himself on the move again. Selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft, the New Jersey native has moved around the league through various teams. It’s not a secret to anyone what type of player DeAngelo is on the ice. He is a pure offensive defenceman and power play specialist who has shown borderline elite offensive abilities. However, on the defensive side, he provides very little. Sometimes bordering on a defensive liability.
His best season came in 2019-20 with the New York Rangers when he put up 15 goals and 38 assists in 68 games. However, due to reported locker room issues, the Rangers bought DeAngelo out the following year. Carolina then decided to sign him as a free agent for one year and he performed very well. In the 2021-22 season with Carolina, he had 51 points in 64 games and really helped the Hurricanes power play. When they couldn’t reach a deal after that season, his rights were traded to the Philadelphia Flyers. After one subpar season in Philadelphia, he made his way back to Carolina following a buyout that seemed to be linked to a subsequent minor trade between the teams. But this season DeAngelo saw limited time with Carolina and after failing to produce much found himself the odd man out.
What This Means
DeAngelo has had a very polarizing career. As stated above, he can help anyone’s back end produce offensively but fails to provide much defensively. He also has been known to have various locker room issues. In Carolina, the locker room issues seemed to be nonexistent, but he found himself on the outside looking in. Now he has the opportunity to get another chance with another team.
Meanwhile, the Russian side are getting a puck-moving offensive defenceman. In the right setting, DeAngelo can provide a lot of offence from the back end. He also can improve the team’s power play with his puck-moving ability and shot. It’s a fairly low-risk move given he is on a one-year deal. If DeAngelo performs well, could he earn a longer stay or a return to North America? Only time will tell.
Main Photo Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
