Jaws dropped when the NY Islanders announced that they had signed Tony DeAngelo. A polarizing figure who had just returned from playing this season in Russia, known more for his off-the-ice antics than his production on the ice. The move was out of necessity after Noah Dobson went down to injury, but soon after, the Islanders' needs grew, calling Lamoriello into action again.
Before DeAngelo even hit the ice for his first shift with the Islanders, Ryan Pulock suffered an upper-body injury, and the next day Lamoreillo acquired Scorttr Perunovich from the St. Louis Blues. A former Hobey Baker Award winner, Perunovich was expected to bring another element of offense to the blue line, such as DeAngelo.
More production from the blue line
The Islanders' back end has been shuffled so many times this season, and Isaiah George has been a saving grace for the organization at such a young age and with such little experience. But his play was starting to diminish and his effectiveness had taken a hit. With the Florida Panthers placing Adam Boqvist on waivers, Lamoriello jumped into action again, claiming the 24-year-old, and was able to return George to Bridgeport where he could continue his development.
Despite only playing a few games in blue and orange, the three new blue liners have all positively impacted the Islanders, assisting in extending the team's winning streak to seven.
Tony DeAngelo scores his first as an @NYIslanders - it's an Overtime game winner and increases the #Isles win streak to 7!!!!!@brendanmburke | @91Butch | @Thomas_Hickey14 pic.twitter.com/JjFyRNMox5
— Isles on MSGSN (@IslesMSGN) February 2, 2025
"You don't want to see anybody injured no matter what it does for you or anybody else, that's not what you're looking for," DeAngelo said after scoring the overtime winner last night against the Tampa Bay Lightning. "You've got to come in and step up and we've had multiple guys come in and step up on both sides of the puck.
DeAngelo has a goal and an assist through four games and has been eating up ice time, averaging over 25 minutes a night. Perunovich has been just as effective, registering three assists in the three games, and Boqvist left his mark on the team in his first game, scoring the opening goal in last night's victory.
"Obviously it's a lot in my head," said Boqvist. "Last night I got in at 1:30 in the morning. Just a crazy day but when you step on the ice you don't think too much, you just want to go out there and win your battles and play for the team."