Tony DeAgelo believes the NY Islanders could surprise the people this season

When the NY Islanders signed Tony DeAngelo out of the KHL last season, he brought an extra element of offense to the blue line that the organization had been missing.

With Noah Dobson being traded this summer to the Montreal Canadiens, DeAngelo will be looked at to provide offense over the course of a whole season, and could potentially be quarterbacking the top power play unit.

After a disappointing 2024-25 season that saw the Islanders miss the playoffs along with Dobson’s departure, many believe the Isles will take another step back this season, predicting them to be on the outside looking in when it comes to the postseason. 

DeAngelo wanted to remain on Long Island

"I like our team a lot,” DeAngelo said. “I don't really care what anybody has to say about it, all these stupid rankings they put out there and whatever. But we've got to go out there and prove it. It starts with a good training camp."

While many believe the Islanders may be on the golf course come the postseason, those same people believe the Isles were one of the winners of the off-season. A summer that saw first-year GM Mathieu Darche add three first-round prospects to a depleted prospect pool, along with Jonathan Drouin.

When DeAngelo joined the Islanders in January, Lou Lamoriello was still in charge of the organization. The Islanders defenseman believes the old boss deserves credit for the makeup of this team, while Darche added the final touches.

"I think we have a good team,” DeAngelo says. “I think Lou (Lamoriello) did a really good job. I think he doesn't get enough credit. He kind of set this team up. He still gave us assets and reloaded the prospect pipeline, and Darche came in and did a real good job."

DeAngelo, 29, signed a one-year deal with the Islanders this offseason as he’ll potentially look to turn that into a longer-term deal with a successful 2025-26 season.