Success or failure, it’s all up to Tony DeAngelo

The going rate for defensemen

Based on the recent signings of some young defensemen, DeAngelo has something he can base his contract demands on.  In the last few weeks, some of the best young defensemen in the NHL have signed as RFA’s, either for longer term or on bridge deals.

Thomas Chabot, Ottawa Senators – Eight years, $64 million, $8 million AAV

The 22 year old Chabot has established himself as one of the top  young defensemen in the NHL after only two seasons.  After a solid rookie season (9-16-25), he exploded with a 14 goal, 55 point season for an awful Ottawa team.  He averaged  an outstanding 0.79 PPG last season and his play was head and shoulders above his teammate.

The Senators rewarded him with an eyebrow raising contract, making him the fifth highest paid defenseman in the NHL, making the same money as players like Brent Burns, John Carlson and Jacob Trouba.  Are the Senators crazy?  Only time will tell.

Ivan Provorov , Philadelphia Flyers – Six years, $40.5 million, $6.75 million AAV

Provorov is 22 years old with three full seasons with the Flyers.  After a 17 goal, 41 point season in 2017-18 with a 0.50 PPG, he regressed last season with seven goals, 26 points and a 0.32 PPG.  His career Corsi For is 48.7% and he has averaged 0.39 PPG over his career.

Provorov’s deal dwarfs the six year, $27 million contract signed by his teammate, Shayne Gostisbehere who had similar if not better statistcs at the same stage of his career.

Josh Morrissey, Winnipeg Jets – Eight years, $50 million, $6.25 million AAV

Morrissey is 24 years old with three NHL seasons under his belt.  He just concluded his best season in the NHL with six goals and 31 points and a 0.53 PPG.   He has averaged 0.35 PPG over his three years with a career high of seven goals  and a lifetime Corsi For of 50.4%.

Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets – Three years, $15 million, $5 million AAV

Werenski, in three seasons with Columbus, has established himself as one of the best young rearguards in the NHL.   He’s been a consistent scorer, finishing last season with 11 goals and 44 points.

His possession numbers are spectacular with a career 53.1% Corsi For.  He wanted a bridge deal that would leave him as an RFA with arbitration rights at age 25. In doing so, Werenski has positioned himself to be due for a big payday if he continues to improve.

Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins – Three years, $14.7 million, $4.9 million AAV

McAvoy is only 21 years old and has already played two full seasons for the Bruins.  He has been a consistent offensive producer with totals of seven goals and 32 points in his first year and seven goals and 28 points last season, for almost identical points per game average of 0.51.

McAvoy is another player like Werenski who is looking to build on his bridge deal to lead to a huge longterm deal in three years when he is arbitration eligible.  Furthermore, his salary in the third year is $7.3 million and that is what a qualifying offer is based on, meaning he is guaranteed a $7.3 million salary when his bridge deal is over.

Brandon Carlo, Boston Bruins – Two years, $5.7 million, $2.85 million AAV

Carlo cannot compare to the players preceding him on this list, but is included because he just signed his contract and for much more than DeAngelo.   Carlo is a defensive defenseman, never topping more than 16 points in his three NHL seasons, but with a lifetime Corsi  For of 52.1%.

At 22 years old, Carlo is making three times the salary of Tony DeAngelo, something that DeAngelo and his agent must be well aware of.