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New York Rangers stash or trash 2018: Tony DeAngelo

By John Williams

VANCOUVER, BC - FEBRUARY 28: New York Rangers Defenceman Tony DeAngelo (77) skates with the puck during their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on February 28, 2018 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. New York won 6-5. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC - FEBRUARY 28: New York Rangers Defenceman Tony DeAngelo (77) skates with the puck during their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on February 28, 2018 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. New York won 6-5. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The New York Rangers didn’t get too much from their young defenseman in 2017-18. After acquiring him in a draft-day trade the year before, the team needs more from him going forward.

Season in Review

After making the team out of training camp, Tony DeAngelo didn’t last too long in the NHL. The New York Rangers sent him down to AHL Hartford after eight games. He looked lost defensively and he wasn’t contributing much on the offensive end, either.

DeAngelo spent two-plus months with the Wolf Pack. While he didn’t post statistics like his past performances indicated that he should, DeAngelo tallied 13 points in 29 games before being called up on January 20.

Once he was brought back up to the NHL level, DeAngelo seemed a lot more composed on his skates. He seemed to be a lot more even-keeled with the puck on his stick as opposed to early in the season when it looked like he was playing a game of hot potato with the puck.

DeAngelo finished the season with just eight assists in 32 NHL games before having his season end prematurely with a sprained ankle in mid-March.

Stats and Info

Age Entering Next Season: 22

Seasons with NYR: 1

Previous Cap Hit: $863,333

Games Played: 32

Goals: 0

Assists: 8

Points: 8

+/-: -18

Corsi/Rel 6.0

17-18 Report Card

Contract Heading into Next Season

1 year, $863,333

What SHOULD Happen

DeAngelo’s trade value is probably at the lowest it has ever been at. For starters, he has been moved twice over two years. Not only was he dealt twice, but the team who traded for him gave up less than the previous one did. The Lightning drafted him in the first round, traded him to the Coyotes for a second rounder, and the Coyotes then dealt him, presumably, for Antti Raanta, who was the Rangers’ backup goalie at the time.

With that said, it doesn’t really make any sense to deal DeAngelo at this point. And besides, if there is ever a coach who could get something out of him, it might just be David Quinn.

Next: Could the Rangers move DeAngelo to forward?

What WILL Happen

The Rangers won’t move him because of what I mentioned above his value plus the fact that DeAngelo, who’s still just 22 year-old, seems to be a perfect fit for a Quinn-coached team. Quinn likes speedy defensemen who can join the rush and push the pace. As for the maturity issues that DeAngelo seems to have had, having a guy like Quinn to help him out and give him a chance might be just what the doctor ordered for the New Jersey native. The Rangers’ defense needs all the help it can get and in a broken system, DeAngelo showed signs of improvement. With a real system and a coach who is very detail-oriented, DeAngelo’s worst years may be behind him.

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