Tony DeAngelo’s return to the NHL with the New York Islanders marks a new chapter in a story that has been far from straightforward. Announced on a Friday, DeAngelo has signed a contract for the league minimum of $775,000, a stark contrast to the circumstances that kept him sidelined from the NHL in the first place. Initially starting this season in the KHL with SKA Saint Petersburg, the 29-year-old defenseman found himself without a North American hockey opportunity after the previous offseason. His performance in Russia, where he accumulated 32 points in just 34 games, demonstrated that DeAngelo still possesses significant on-ice talent, yet this achievement did not sufficiently secure him a place in the NHL until now.
The decision for mutual termination of his KHL contract was influenced by “family considerations” as stated by SKA. Such personal dimensions reflect the oft-overlooked complexities of player lives beyond the rink, a narrative that is frequently overshadowed by their public personas. This backdrop of family reasons illustrates how personal circumstances can ripple into professional opportunities, creating a path paved with uncertainty but also, perhaps, newfound clarity for DeAngelo.
Upon joining the Islanders, DeAngelo faces standard NHL protocol: he must clear waivers before participating in any games. The urgency behind this move is exacerbated by the Islanders’ recent loss of their top offensive defenseman, Noah Dobson, who is sidelined with a lower-body injury. With Dobson classified as week-to-week, the Islanders’ need for offensive contributions from a capable defenseman provides DeAngelo an immediate opportunity to impact the team. It is a delicate scenario; he must prove his worth under the weight of expectation and scrutiny from both fans and pundits.
DeAngelo’s career trajectory has seen him traverse five NHL teams since being drafted 19th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2014. After an exchange to the Arizona Coyotes and significant time with the New York Rangers, it was during this franchise that he had his best statistical season, recording 53 points in 68 games during the 2019-20 campaign. Yet, it was his off-ice challenges—including a notorious altercation with teammate Alexandar Georgiev and subsequent disciplinary issues—that eventually led to his exit from New York. Transformative moments like these, including a one-year contract with the Carolina Hurricanes followed by a trade to the Philadelphia Flyers, highlight a player balancing skill with controversies that have made him a polarizing figure.
Moreover, DeAngelo’s outspoken views—especially relating to politics and the COVID-19 pandemic—have earned him a reputation for being one of the most divisive players in hockey. His unfiltered remarks, often made in interviews and through social media, have not only sparked debates among fans but also cast a long shadow over his playing career. Additionally, his past suspensions during junior hockey for conduct violations reveal a problematic history, framing him within a larger context of conduct and accountability in sports.
As DeAngelo prepares for his debut with the Islanders, the