Desperate times call for desperate measures. And for the New York Islanders, this meant signing defenseman Tony DeAngelo on a 1-year deal worth around $800k ($775,000 is the minimum reported base salary). In the world of hockey, DeAngelo cuts a divisive figure, to say the least. Although DeAngelo has enjoyed modest success on the ice, it is his behavioral issues that have often landed him in the headlines. The Islanders are hedging their bets on DeAngelo boosting their offensive output and providing defensive cover, but do the potential benefits outweigh the costs? Isles fans remain unconvinced.

A “world-class skill” is how former New York Rangers coach David Quinn once described DeAngelo’s playmaking ability. But the string of controversial incidents that have bookmarked DeAngelo’s career is what people know him for, not that playmaking ability. From being suspended for physically assaulting a referee to assaulting a former teammate to spending several games as a healthy scratch due to attitude problems, it is no wonder that fans are treating this signing with trepidation.

These very incidents led DeAngelo to eventually sign with SKA Saint Petersburg in 2024, seemingly exiled from the NHL. Yet earlier this month, DeAngelo mutually agreed to terminate his contract with SKA, leading to his unlikely NHL return.

In light of these incidents, one might wonder: Why did the New York Islanders take this risk? Well, it ultimately came down to necessity, though fans have questioned why DeAngelo was the only option. The Islanders’ defense was in need of reinforcements after Noah Dobson went down injured in their 3-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

This meant the Islanders lost a key defensive asset, adding to an already ravaged blueline. GM Lou Lamoriello’s latest signing was a bid to keep the Islanders’ season afloat as they try to move up the standings from their current 8th place position. But this is a situation where fans and management don’t see eye to eye.

Tony DeAngelo’s arrival has united New York Islanders’ fans in their shared contempt

For the Islanders, who have recently found some form, team synergy is crucial to keep the momentum going. Yet many Islanders fans questioned the rationale behind signing Tony DeAngelo, a player who could potentially disrupt that synergy. One fan on Reddit wrote, “Whatever you think of DeAngelo, part of Lou’s thing is that he likes guys who are good in the locker room. TDA has been a cancer in every locker room he’s played it, lou has lost his mind.”

Most fans were pessimistic about the signing. “Honestly don’t give two f*cks about this guys political stances but he’s a total *sshole who had been kicked out of every locker room he’s been in,” said a Reddit commenter. The overwhelming consensus on social media was that of disappointment in GM Lou Lamoriello and the organization.

Yet it wasn’t just his personality and behavior that the New York Islanders fans took umbrage at. They also questioned DeAngelo’s ability to provide defensive reinforcement. One X user posted, “Islanders fans complaining about the defense only for Lou to go sign Tony DeAngelo.” A Reddit user echoed this sentiment by writing, “Also, for those who say Dobson can’t defend, just wait until you watch him [DeAngelo].” This is in addition to the many fans who opposed DeAngelo’s signing on moral and ethical grounds.

Despite the near-unanimous wave of anti-DeAngelo sentiment, some fans may be willing to play devil’s advocate, right? Not quite. The most liked, retweeted, and upvoted comments and posts about the signing had nothing positive to say about it or the player himself. In fact, it was hard to find views on DeAngelo that gained any kind of positive traction. At best, one Instagram commenter wrote, “Why is everyone complaining, we’re in almost last place. Who gives a cr*p. It’s a 1 year deal and obv Dobson is hurt. Go cry somewhere else.” Far from a ringing endorsement. However, Isles fans will have to accept this reality for the remainder of the season.