Polarizing Offensive Defenseman Emerges as an Option for Brad Treliving and the Leafs
A controversial former NHL defenseman hypes up a potential return to the league and could be an option on the blue line for Brad Treliving and the Leafs.
A former NHLer is being urged by teams to be given one last chance to prove himself at the NHL level as his most recent team has let go of him.
Many talented offensive defensemen have been able to stick in the National Hockey League despite being average to weak defensively by being high-end offensive talents, and one of those players is being pushed as an option.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are one team called out by name as a team that could use this player's services as the team is rumored to be looking at a reunion with John Klingberg.
One name is now linked as a target for the Toronto Maple Leafs, one that fans may be turned off by and not just for on-ice play.
Analyst Links Tony DeAngelo To The Toronto Maple Leafs
Former NHLer and social media personality Jordan Schmaltz says Tony DeAngelo needs to be back in the NHL, and calls on the Toronto Maple Leafs to be one of the teams who should consider DeAngelo.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Schmaltz says that the Leafs, along with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Edmonton Oilers, & the Detroit Red Wings are teams that should be giving DeAngelo a chance.
DeAngelo was having a productive offensive season with Russian club SKA St. Petersburg with six goals and 32 points in 34 games, second among KHL defenders in PPG, before suddenly having his contract terminated by SKA on Tuesday.
Schmaltz says that DeAngelo should be signed for cheap by a NHL club after his solid scoring play in Russia, and blames DeAngelo's lack of opportunities in the league on media criticism over DeAngelo's open conservative views.
Wokeness didn't cause Tony DeAngelo to lose out on an NHL roster spot, his lack of defense did.
Tony DeAngelo may have had a problem with left wingers, but they had no problem beating him to scoring goals in the NHL, and just as well in the KHL.
Where some will view DeAngelo as have being blackballed from the league over his political opinions, but he's consistently struggled to be a consistent defensive defenseman, something that makes it hard to justify without being an elite offensive talent, which DeAngelo had for a time before slowing down in his last NHL season.
Even at his peak, DeAngelo struggled in his own end, something that still justified NHL chances, but as his offense began to dry up in 2023-24 with the Carolina Hurricanes, the team couldn't justify the offense DeAngelo brings if he can't play in a role that benefits his strengths.
Also worth consideration is that while DeAngelo's offensive totals in the KHL are productive, the one player who had a higher PPG at D than him was Trevor Murphy, who has eight career NHL games.
DeAngelo as well as struggling on defense has a history of troublesome behavior and losing chances, being scratched as a youngster in Tampa Bay, to assaulting a referee in Arizona, to being waived by the New York Rangers after an alterction with netminder Alexander Georgiev, to being waived by the Rangers and as well later on the Philadelphia Flyers.
Character concerns have continued to plague DeAngelo, and it seems the same difficulties followed DeAngelo to Russia.
A recent report from Russian outlet MatchTV reported that DeAngelo had difficulties with the SKA locker room that helped lead to his departure.
Russia is hardly a "woke" country by any means, and yet Tony DeAngelo still couldn't keep a spot in the second biggest hockey league, though despite this calls begin to bring DeAngelo back to the NHL.
Does Tony DeAngelo Fit The Toronto Maple Leafs?
For The Toronto Maple Leafs, the need on defense is stability. They've lost arguably their most consistent defender in Jake McCabe to injury, although McCabe is expected back against New Jersey.
The Leafs may not want to take the risk on a player like DeAngelo with his history of locker room challenges, a move that may make more sense for a team that could use an offensive defenseman, but there's not a playoff contender that would use DeAngelo where he's best.
It's not clear if DeAngelo, who went back to North America to be closer to family, would want to play in Canada rather than America.
There's no doubting that Tony DeAngelo can play hockey, but he won't provide the real thing the Toronto Maple Leafs need and that's leadership and a hungry mind ready to be a strong character both on and off the ice.
Toronto seems more focused on adding a forward than a defenseman anyways, with the top Leafs trade targets being forwards.
When the Toronto Maple Leafs need players to step up more than ever, they won't want to risk distraction in a player who has brought challenges to every locker room he has been in.
