The New York Islanders announced this afternoon that they have agreed to a one-year contract with former New York Rangers defenseman Tony DeAngelo. The deal, worth a prorated league minimum, will allow DeAngelo to finish the 2024-25 season on Long Island.

The move incited some rejuvenation and anger among Islanders fans on social media. It seems fitting because DeAngelo has always been an exercise in extremism.

He’s known for his loud and passionate views on American politics, specifically his support for President Donald Trump. But also, DeAngelo is known for his strong offensive game, and incompetent defensive game. He truly is a player of opposites.

Take, for example, his 2021-22 season with the Carolina Hurricanes.

It was DeAngelo’s best season in the NHL. He recorded 56 points in 64 games, was a +30 and tallied 12 points in 14 games for the Hurricanes in the postseason. His 15 goals above replacement (GAR) ranked him top 20 in the NHL among all defencemen. Those are objectively good stats.

What’s particularly maddening is how DeAngelo managed such good numbers despite himself. Within those 15 GAR, he recorded a -2.6 rating for his defensive contributions. That was good for 39th worst in the NHL among defensemen.

When Noah Dobson went down with an injury during a 3-1 victory over the Jackets, the Islanders suddenly found themselves with a broadside hole on defense. They perused their AHL replacement options, including names like Samuel Bolduc and Travis Mitchell, and didn’t like the selection.

Ultimately, they elected to sign DeAngelo, who has proven himself capable of producing much more than AHL options, regardless of whether or not Bolduc or Mitchell could develop into more.

DeAngelo, simply put, is the only player available who could match Dobson’s offensive impact. Management doesn’t care if DeAngelo is significantly worse than Dobson in his own end. They need to immediately replace the production of Dobson. This move is indicative of one thing: Lou Lamoriello is all-in, for now

A few months ago, reports surfaced that Lamoriello’s job status was in question at the end of last season, but he saved himself by making the playoffs with newly hired head coach Patrick Roy. This year, the Islanders sit outside of a postseason spot but remain within striking distance. Instead of focusing on player development, Lamoriello decided to move for a “win-now” defender with known flaws. This decision to move short-term rather than long-term indicates his desperation.

And of course, DeAngelo is no stranger to controversy. He has butted heads with teammates or coaches in most places he has played. Why Lamoriello feels he can “fix” DeAngelo is beyond me, but if he doesn’t, it may cost Lamoriello his job. Fan apathy is at an all-time high among Islanders fans, and this decision has only made the Islanders the topic of more negative conversation in the hockey media (rightly or wrongly). For ownership, if DeAngelo manages to make them more of a laughing stock, they may finally pull the plug on Lamoriello.

The New York Islanders’ signing of Tony DeAngelo is a high-risk, high-reward move. While DeAngelo’s offensive prowess is undeniable, his defensive shortcomings and controversial history make this a gamble for Lamoriello. With the team on the brink of total failure, Lamoriello’s decision to prioritize immediate impact over long-term development underscores his urgency to secure a postseason berth.

However, if DeAngelo’s presence exacerbates the team’s struggles or stirs further controversy, it could spell the end of Lamoriello’s tenure with the Islanders. Only time will tell if this bold move will pay off or backfire, but one thing is certain: this season just got a lot more interesting for the Islanders.

(Featured image courtesy of Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)

Joey McAuliffe

Joey McAuliffe is a passionate Islander fan pursuing a Masters of Accounting in Buffalo, NY. His favorite player of all time is Jordan Eberle. He has followed the team closely since 2014, but he began regularly attending games during the 2006 season. Outside of hockey, Joey loves music and the Buffalo Bills.