NY Islanders defenseman Tony DeAngelo is proving the naysayers wrong

When the New York Islanders signed Tony DeAngelo amid injuries and depth challenges on their blueline, the move, as expected, was accompanied by a fair share of disapproval from those who felt that DeAngelo was not worth the risk, given his reputation. Further, being vocal about his political affiliations and leanings on social media didn't help him quiet the polarizing figure narrative.

DeAngelo has never been a stranger to criticism. Throughout his career, questions have followed him about his defensive play, discipline, and team fit. However, he has been a model citizen off the ice and in the dressing room and has built a case that he will be below in the NHL next season, perhaps even for another go to Long Island. DeAngelo had started this season over in Russia in the KHL, and when GM Lou Lamoriello signed him, it was because the two sides believed it would be mutually beneficial.

The Islanders would get a puck-moving defenseman whose offensive skills have never been questioned, while DeAngelo saw an opportunity for playing time and perhaps one last chance to prove that the days of him being viewed as a distraction and poor teammate were past him. You knew that for Lamoriello to bring in a player with DeAngelo's supposed baggage, it was done with transparency and an acknowledgment that anything viewed as detrimental to the team-first attitude would not be tolerated. So far, Tony D has obliged.

With a goal in Saturday afternoon's 5-3 loss to the Lightning, DeAngelo extended his point streak to five games (two goals, four assists), tying Noah Dobson for the longest amongst Isles defensemen this season. The streak matches the second-longest point streak of his career; he had five-game streaks in Nov. 2019 for the Rangers and January 2022 for the Canes. His career-best eight-game streak was in February 2019 for the Rangers. Overall, in 25 games, he has four goals and 12 assists.

DeAngelo was deserving of the criticism that came his way at the time of the signing, but he's also deserving of praise for not only the way he's carried himself on the ice, but the fact that his presence on the team has been a complete non-issue since his signing. The 29-year-old has always had his supporters in recent years, who praise his offensive talent and even vouch for him as a good teammate. After years of being branded otherwise, he has the opportunity in front of him to use his tenure on Long Island to silence those who thought his time in the NHL was nearing an end.