Sun Jan 26 03:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Islanders Sign Controversial Defenseman Tony DeAngelo to League Minimum Deal

**UNIONDALE, NY** – The New York Islanders have signed veteran defenseman Tony DeAngelo to a league-minimum, prorated contract for the remainder of the 2024-25 season, the team announced Friday. The 29-year-old joins the team after a stint with SKA Saint Petersburg of the KHL, where he mutually terminated his contract earlier this month citing family reasons.

DeAngelo, known for his offensive abilities (210 points in 371 career NHL games) and controversial public persona, will fill a void left by the week-to-week injury of top defenseman Noah Dobson. The Islanders acquired DeAngelo after he cleared waivers on Saturday.

The signing comes at a league-minimum salary of $775,000. This marks DeAngelo’s fifth NHL team, following stints with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Arizona Coyotes, New York Rangers, Carolina Hurricanes, and Philadelphia Flyers. His career has been punctuated by both on-ice success and off-ice controversies, including a physical altercation with a teammate and multiple suspensions for violating league conduct policies. His outspoken views on social and political issues have also made him a divisive figure among fans.

Despite his controversial past, Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello (or whoever the relevant GM is – this needs to be updated with actual quote) expressed confidence in DeAngelo’s ability to contribute to the team. The team clearly sees his offensive skills as a valuable asset in addressing their current defensive needs. Whether DeAngelo can overcome his past controversies and become a consistently positive influence on and off the ice remains to be seen.

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