"We're very happy to add Tony to our team and I know he is very excited to join the Flyers," said Flyers general manager and president of hockey operations Chuck Fletcher. "We did our due diligence and we strongly believe in Tony and his ability to help our team. He is a right-handed shot who moves the puck extremely well and will drive offense from the back end for us."
An impending restricted free agent who was given permission by the Hurricanes to seek other opportunities early, DeAngelo has signed a two-year contract with the Flyers.Terms are forthcoming.
DeAngelo is coming off a strong 2021-22 campaign on a one-year deal with the Hurricanes. He clicked in Carolina's high-tempo, puck-possession oriented and quick transition style as well as the power play.
DeAngelo posted 10 goals, a career-high 41 assists (a career high), a traditional plus-30 (also a career high) and 51 points in 64 games for Carolina this past season. He averaged 19:49 of ice time per game, was credited with 27 takeaways against being charged with 39 giveaways, and started 66.8 percent of his 5-on-5 shifts in the offensive zone.
His career regular season bests for goals (15) and points (53) were set with the New York Rangers in 2019-20. In the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs, DeAngelo added 10 points (one goal, nine assists) in 14 games.
DeAngelo has always been more noted for his offensive skills and puck moving ability than for his defensive play. He will never be a shutdown defender but has improved his off-puck game over the years. DeAngelo is a smooth skater, and has an agitating streak to him.
It remains to be seen on which pairing the right-handed shooting defenseman is slotted in John Tortorella's lineup at 5-on-5 and if he can fit into the Flyers systems as seamlessly as he fit in for Carolina. DeAngelo is a lock to receive extensive power play time for a Flyers team that ranked at the bottom of that category in 2021-22.
A native of Sewell, New Jersey, DeAngelo grew up in a family of diehard Flyers fans. He was also a member of the 2007-08 Flyers Quebec International Pee Wee Team. The player's name has been tied to the Flyers in rumors multiple ties over the years since his draft-eligible 2013-14 season when he was selected 19th overall in the first round by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Dating back to his junior years in the Ontario Hockey League, DeAngelo has gotten himself in trouble at times due to a tendency to let his temper get the best of him and lash out in ways he soon regrets. He had confrontations with teammates in Sarnia and the Rangers that led to his dismissal from both teams.
It should be noted that DeAngelo also has many friends and defenders around the NHL and has made amends with others. He was on his best behavior in Carolina. DeAngelo understood that any further incidents could spell the abrupt end of his career despite his highly productive recent seasons on the ice.
