Why Mathieu Darche believes the NY Islanders got Tony DeAngelo at the right price

Mathieu Darche doesn't appear concerned that the New York Islanders committed $4.5 million annually over two years to bring back Tony DeAngelo. In fact, based on the way the market unfolded this week, the Islanders' general manager believes they may have gotten a bargain.

Speaking after the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft on Friday, Darche explained why re-signing DeAngelo was a priority after the veteran defenseman returned to Long Island late last season and quickly re-established himself as a key part of the blue line.

"Listen, we saw at the end of the year last year when we lost him, like, you got to be able to move the puck out, and he's a real good puck mover," Darche said to reporters on Friday night. "The price is relative, because if you look at all the signings around the league, I think Tony's priced extremely well, especially with the signings have happened the last few days."

The Islanders officially signed DeAngelo to a two-year contract carrying a $4.5 million average annual value on Friday, a deal that immediately drew mixed reactions from fans. But Darche's comments reveal a front office looking beyond the raw cap hit and focusing on the scarcity of what DeAngelo provides.

As Darche noted, the market for puck-moving defensemen is expensive, and with several defensemen around the league signing lengthy, lucrative contracts this offseason, the Islanders believe DeAngelo's deal will compare favorably as the summer progresses.

"But Tony's been great since he's been here," Darche added. "He's a very popular teammate, and you got to move the puck, and the way Pete wants to play too is moving the puck, getting up on the rush. It's tough to find puck-moving defensemen, never mind a right-shot puck-moving defenseman."

That last point may be the most important. New head coach Pete DeBoer's system relies heavily on defensemen who can quickly transition the puck and join the attack. When DeAngelo missed time late last season, the Islanders' struggles exiting their own zone became glaringly apparent.

His return stabilizes things on the blue line and brings back a second puck-moving defenseman besides Matthew Schaefer to chip in offensively at 5x5 and help quarterback one of the power-play units next season.

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