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The Hurricanes Are Reunited With Tony DeAngelo

By Keith Preston

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 7: Tony DeAngelo #77 of the Carolina Hurricanes warms up prior to playing against the Toronto Maple Leafs in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 7, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 7: Tony DeAngelo #77 of the Carolina Hurricanes warms up prior to playing against the Toronto Maple Leafs in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 7, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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If you were shocked by the news of Tony DeAngelo being signed by the Hurricanes, I would invite you move out from under that rock so you might be more in tune with what is going on. It is by far not the most popular move made by the Hurricanes this offseason according to the responses on social media, but you can’t please everyone all the time.

This makes it all but certain Karlsson is not coming to the Hurricanes, but it was never the most likely outcome even before this signing. The Carolina Hurricanes only had $2.5 million in cap space before signing TDA. This acquisition of Tony takes them to under $1 million. Not only would Karlsson’s $11.5 million contract cause a lot of pieces to have to shuffle on the roster to be able to afford, but he is owed that for the next FOUR seasons.

I am not saying Karlsson wouldn’t move the needle more than TDA, or that Karlsson isn’t better. However, last season was the first time he played in more than 56 games since his move from Ottawa, Tony played in 64 as a Cane. It is also the first time he had scored more than 45 points, TDA had 51 on the Hurricanes. The likelihood of him sustaining that performance over the next four years seems low.  Right now makes all the sense in the world for San Jose, who is in the middle of a rebuild, to sell him. His stock is through the roof.

I think a lot of Caniacs would rather see that $10 million in savings annually spent on Seth Jarvis or Sebastian Aho. You know, two of the fourteen free agents they have after this season.

His attitude can be rough, but you nor I play for the Canes, so we don’t need to work with him. Also, we don’t call the shots. The Hurricanes pay someone to do that. While he has been a menace to both teammates and foes in the past, getting bought out a record two times, his first go in Raleigh wasn’t all that bad. In fact, I would call it a success.

Rod Brind’Amour was able to for the most part keep DeAngelo under control in the 2021-2022 season. He also isn’t hated by the guys in Carolina’s locker room. In fact, Tony DeAngelo was at Brett Pesce’s wedding this past weekend. So maybe our perception from outside the locker room isn’t the reality. At least at PNC Arena.

The Hurricanes got Tony on a 1yr/$1million contract and got a lot more production out of him than that contract would suggest back in 21-22. Tony set the then team record for points in a season by a defenseman. He contributed 51 points in the regular season and another 10 in the playoffs. The Canes are paying Brent Burns $5.3 million for that level of production.

While TDA is more of a liability on defense, it didn’t hurt the Hurricanes too bad in 2021-2022, who was number one in the NHL in goals against per game. Besides, I haven’t heard too many people asking for more help on defense, just help scoring. TDA also knows how to quarterback a power play. Something the Hurricanes PP needed help with any time Brent Burns was on the bench.

Besides his production, I wouldn’t mind having a player rough the other team while we take hits like this. Or this. I’m not saying spearing is ideal, but more physicality can’t hurt. After all, it’s hockey not soccer.

Tony DeAngelo is not a poster boy for the NHL. He is far from most people’s ideal role model. But he fits. He fits the Hurricanes salary cap situation. He fits the Hurricanes game plan. Like it or not, Tony DeAngelo is a Carolina Hurricane for the 2023-2024 season, so why boo him? That doesn’t help anyone. Let’s see what he can do.

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