Seattle Kraken: Drafting Tony DeAngelo isn’t worth the risk
Ed Stein
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Rangers defenseman Tony DeAngelo’s talent is unquestioned. It’s the rest of the package that makes him toxic to the Seattle Kraken.
If this were about talent, there would be no doubt the Seattle Kraken would select defenseman Tony DeAngelo from the New York Rangers in the expansion draft. Then again, if it were about talent, DeAngelo wouldn’t be close to available.
As of now, DeAngelo is in hockey purgatory. He is officially listed as part of New York’s taxi squad, even though he’s been nowhere near the team in months. DeAngelo collects his check but works out on his own.
What he brings
With the puck on his stick, DeAngelo is electric. His speed, creativity, and stickhandling can make opponents look plain silly. DeAngelo can also let the puck fly from the blueline. He is an offensive weapon.
Then how did a 26-year-old defenseman with his ability go from 53 points in 68 games in 2019–20 to out of a job in months? In a word, maturity.
His own worst enemy
There is a big difference between what you can say and what you should say. DeAngelo has been reckless with his words and opinions both on the ice and off it. There are times he should have kept silent and didn’t. He opened his mouth when he shouldn’t have and said things that were wrong.
Then there is his work ethic. He was in coach David Quinn’s doghouse several times for not putting forth the effort in his own end the coach thought he should have. DeAngelo also drew Quinn’s wrath with undisciplined play and dumb penalties. It wasn’t uncommon to see him benched for periods or games at a time.
In the end, it was his rocky relationship with his teammates that put him on the outside. There were rumors he didn’t get along with defense partner K’Andre Miller. It didn’t help that Deadspin went after DeAngelo either.
The final straw was DeAngelo’s physical fight with teammate Alexandar Georgiev on January 30. It came after an overtime loss to Pittsburgh. DeAngelo once again had a huge chip on his shoulder, and a miscommunication with Georgiev led to the deciding goal.
After the altercation, Rangers management banished DeAngelo from the team.
Take a pass
New York would love for the Seattle Kraken to take their $5.3M problem child. They might even give Kraken GM Ron Francis incentives such as paying part of DeAngelo’s salary and kicking in some draft picks and or prospects. The Rangers organization is flush with talent.
As tempting as NYR General Manager Chris Drury might make it, DeAngelo ultimately isn’t worth the trouble. A new team trying to build a fanbase doesn’t need the headaches that come with his talent. Seattle would be better off selecting Giorgiev or Brett Howden in the expansion draft.
The fact that DeAngelo cleared waivers and the Rangers were unable to trade him shows the other 30 NHL teams decided against having him on their rosters as well.
Do you think the Seattle Kraken should take a flier on Tony DeAngelo? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.