NY Islanders sign controversial defenseman Tony DeAngelo following Dobson injury

The New York Islanders added a controversial piece to their beat-up defensive corps by signing veteran defenseman Tony DeAngelo to a one-year contract for the remainder of the regular season. Since he is coming over from another league (KHL), DeAngelo has to clear waivers before he's eligible to play with the Islanders.

The move comes as the Islanders look to inject puck-moving ability into their lineup in the absence of Noah Dobson, who suffered a lower-body injury on Monday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets. While Mike Reilly plans to return this season, there is no set timetable for when he will be ready for game action following his heart procedure.

For all the noise that comes with signing DeAngelo, there's no denying that the 29-year-old can be a playmaker on the back end. In 2022-23, DeAngelo played for the Philadelphia Flyers and recorded 42 points (11 goals, 31 assists) in 70 games, showcasing his ability to contribute offensively while logging heavy minutes. Last year, he scored three goals and eight assists in 31 games for the Carolina Hurricanes, the team that ousted the Isles in the first round.

He played 36 games for St. Petersburg in the KHL earlier this season, scoring six goals and 26 assists. DeAngelo’s arrival could help revitalize the Islanders' power play, which has been ranked dead last throughout the season.

DeAngelo’s signing also comes with some risks. He’s been a polarizing figure throughout his career due to his on-ice discipline and off-ice controversies. The signing signals that GM Lou Lamoriello is not yet ready to give up on the season following the injury news to Dobson. The Isles currently trail Columbus by eight points for the final Wild Card spot with two games in hand, but there are six other teams ahead of them. Only Buffalo has fewer points in the Conference than the Isles.

As time to turn around the season dwindles, fans will be eager to see how he fits on and off the ice with the team. DeAngelo has played 371 games with the Arizona Coyotes, New York Rangers, Flyers, and Hurricanes in his eight-year NHL career. He has 48 goals and 162 assists while averaging 19:01 TOI.