New York Rangers: Decisions need to be made about Tony DeAngelo
The head coach of the New York Rangers, David Quinn, healthy scratched defenseman Tony DeAngelo for “maturity issues,” eventually things will come to a head and need a resolution.
The growth of a hockey player both as a person and professional talent all typically fall into a semi-replicable path. Most prospects first make their main breakthrough in the early 20s and become regulars in the lineup. Then, they hit their prime in their mid-20s before a plateauing and eventually declining. Yet, Tony DeAngelo of the New York Rangers is off already off the course.
The fact that the New Jersey native is already on his third different NHL organization at 23-years-old should be setting off major alarms. There is no denying DeAngelo’s talent, however, the character of a player can be so detrimental to the health of a team, it’s simply not worth keeping them around.
Especially concerning is that the Tampa Bay Lightning, the organization that drafts the best in the entire league, was willing to move on from a first round pick so quickly. While some people need to figure things out on their own and that does take time, such a condemnation from a qualified authority is a sign of a poor asset.
Granted, DeAngelo is still only 23 and there is time for the defenseman to get his head on straight, it puts the organization into a bind. The front office is one and a half seasons away from the defenseman reaching restricted free agency for the first time. When July of 2020 comes, those executives will need to see marked improvement from DeAngelo.
The frustrating
Simply put, a player having the talent to be good, but choosing to be immature and a problem in the dressing room is about as frustrating a situation as possible. With the Rangers opting to give DeAngelo another choice, one would think that he would recognize the luck he’s afforded. Not every player gets a second chance at making it in the NHL, let alone a third.
A player only can be afforded so many opportunities before their organization grows tired of the same act.
"“It was a maturity issue,” Quinn told The Post. “He and I have talked about it and are working on it. He’s too good to let maturity issues get in the way of him becoming the kind of player that he can be."
Coach Quinn opting to purposely sit out a player that’s played well for acting out is a sign of a coach with integrity and one determined to build a culture the right way. From the very beginning, it was apparent that the former Boston University coach was a no-nonsense type that was going to use tough love as a tool.
It’s an utter disappointment that DeAngelo still does not recognize the opportunity being afforded to him. In a rebuilding year, this was supposed to be his chance to cement himself as a top-four defenseman for the future. Instead, the New Jersey native is sticking to his same act and not learning his lesson.
Eventually, the Rangers’ front office will need to make a decision about DeAngelo’s future with the organization. Whether it be showcasing him in a prominent role so he can produce for a trade, reneging his rights as a restricted free agent or giving him an extension, it is not that far away.
Even at 23-years-old, the clock is running on DeAngelo’s time with the Rangers. One way or another, it’s time the defenseman grow up and become part of the solution.