Once a controversial signing, Tony DeAngelo helps Hurricanes’ defense set points record
It was late September and defenseman Tony DeAngelo was about to put in his first game for the Carolina Hurricanes, a preseason exhibition against Tampa Bay at PNC Arena.
“I’m just going to play my normal game,” he said to the media. “I’m not going to do anything too crazy. I just want to get back in the swing of things and I want to play smart. Defensively is the most important thing for me to work on.
“The work ethic here day in and day out has been impressive. It’s like they all do the same thing no matter where they are on the depth chart. Guys are pushing each other.”
DeAngelo smiled, adding, “And the coach is a very passionate guy.”
That would be Rod Brind’Amour, who now has coached the Hurricanes for four seasons and made them a playoff team in four straight seasons. The Canes (53-20-8) clinched the Metropolitan Division title Tuesday with a 4-3 win over the New York Rangers, the team that ditched DeAngelo last season.
When the Canes did not re-sign defenseman Dougie Hamilton after the 2021 season, there was much gnashing of teeth among some Canes fans. Hamilton was instrumental in the Canes becoming a playoff team after coming to Carolina in a 2018 trade with Calgary. His offensive punch and big shot from the blue line played a part in many Canes wins as he teamed with Jaccob Slavin on Carolina’s top D pairing.
How would the Canes replace Dougie?
With Tony DeAngelo?
The howls were many when Carolina signed DeAngelo to a one-year, free-agent contact. He came with the baggage of a controversial past, both in junior hockey and with the Rangers.
But with the Canes hosting the New Jersey Devils — and Hamilton — in their final regular-season game Thursday, Carolina has turned that $1 million signing into arguably the NHL’s biggest bargain. DeAngelo, in turn, has done his part in a record-setting offensive season for the Hurricanes’ D corps.
The Canes’ defensemen have produced 200 points, with 40 goals and 160 assists, establishing a new franchise record for points from the blue line. The 1980-81 Hartford Whalers had 196 points (51 goals, 145 assists) as Mark Howe, a future Hall of Famer, put up 65 points.
DeAngelo, despite missing games because of COVID-19 and an injury, has 10 goals and 41 assists in 63 games, although his production did slow after returning from his injury in late March. Brady Skjei, who had two assists Tuesday, has a career-high nine goals and 38 points. Slavin has 38 assists and 42 points, both career highs.
“All of our D can move really well, which helps,” Skjei said. “We can get up the ice and have enough skill to make plays when they’re there. We also do a good job of getting pucks to the net. In this league there are a lot of rebound goals and even a shot from the point can create some chaos in front.”
DeAngelo’s 51 points top Hamilton’s point totals in any of his three seasons with Carolina — Hamilton has nine goals and 29 points in 60 games with the Devils. Like Hamilton, he can smoothly quarterback the power play. Like Hamilton, he must be mindful defensively not let his offensive instincts get him in trouble or out of position.
DeAngelo has played smart. He hasn’t done anything too crazy.
DeAngelo did have a “Gordie Howe hat trick” in late October against the Chicago Blackhawks. Goal, assist, fight: he checked all three boxes and had Canes fans at PNC Arena chanting his name.
DeAngelo said he appreciated the ovation, saying, “That means more than the fans might think.”
One more game, against Dougie and the Devils, and it’s time for the playoffs. As DeAngelo put it, “Our main goal is winning something much more important than the division.”
New Jersey Devils at Carolina Hurricanes
When: Thursday, 7 p.m.
Where: PNC Arena, Raleigh.
TV/RADIO: Bally Sports South, WCMC-99.9 FM
This story was originally published April 28, 2022 at 6:32 AM.
