Tony DeAngelo’s first morning on Lengthy Island consisted of a fast skate, a quick introduction to his new teammates and on the point of play in his first recreation within the new digs.
Most likely not the simplest method to enter a brand new staff for DeAngelo, who was formally eligible to play for the Islanders in opposition to Carolina after clearing waivers at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
However them’s the breaks.
“Looks like a pleasant man,” Jean-Gabriel Pageau mentioned earlier than the sport. “He was a ache within the ass to play in opposition to. But it surely’s good to have on our facet. He’s acquired some grit to him and he positively has a talent degree, additionally, with the puck. I believe he’s an incredible addition to our staff.
“From what I heard from different groups, he was well-liked within the room. That’s all I can say for now. I don’t know him but sufficient.”
Given DeAngelo’s popularity, it’s noteworthy that Pageau and Brock Nelson each talked about listening to from others who’ve performed with him — and it’s a protected guess that Alexandar Georgiev was not amongst this crew — that the defenseman was an incredible teammate.
Although most Islanders have confronted DeAngelo — who beforehand performed for the Rangers, Hurricanes and Flyers — he’s coming in with out many relationships within the dressing room.
Exterior of enjoying with Hudson Fasching at World Juniors in 2015, DeAngelo hasn’t crossed paths with anybody on the staff throughout his profession.
“Clearly a right-handed D-man that sees the ice, offensive, is any person who can kinda fill that hole with [Noah Dobson] out,” Nelson mentioned Friday night time after the Islanders beat the Flyers. “I performed in opposition to him, he performed onerous, he’s a competitor. I believe he fights. Compete-wise, I believe he’s acquired an incredible compete degree. Goes on the market, I believe he needs to win.
“I believe he’s the final word competitor. I’ve heard from a pair guys that know him [who] mentioned that we’re gonna love him. He’s gonna be nice for us.”
DeAngelo, who didn’t converse to reporters earlier than Saturday’s recreation, began this season in Russia, recording 32 factors in 34 video games with SKA Saint Petersburg.
His return to the NHL was surprising, even for him, however after his contract was mutually terminated in Russia, with household points being the said purpose, it made sense for the Islanders to signal him to a league-minimum deal as a fill-in for Dobson, whose proper leg harm seems to be a longer-term difficulty.
At a minimal, DeAngelo immediately seems to be like the most effective offensive defenseman in a lineup immediately lacking Dobson, and figures to quarterback the primary energy play unit.
“I penalty-killed in opposition to him,” Pageau mentioned. “He walks the road very effectively with the puck. And he’s acquired good deception when he takes a shot or he makes a cross, which is at all times onerous for a PK to do when he skates with the puck. I believe that’s what he can convey. I believe his hockey IQ’s excellent additionally, from enjoying in opposition to him. In order that’s one thing I believe may also help us for certain.”
Heading into Saturday’s match, the Islanders had gained six of their final eight to achieve NHL .500.
Whereas that marked a great begin to what they hope might be a 3rd straight season with a profitable late push to the playoffs, the Islanders had been nonetheless six factors again of a spot, with seven groups to leap.
It’s an oft-cited cliché that gamers who be part of a staff midseason — from harm or in a scenario like this — are leaping on a shifting prepare.
If that’s the case, then the Islanders’ prepare can’t afford a slowdown for anybody or something. DeAngelo might want to catch up quick.
“That is most likely a simple group to return into,” Pageau mentioned. “I believed after I first got here in, the group makes it very simple. Makes you comfy. System-wise, I believe your intuition takes over a bit bit initially after which the construction and every thing turns into extra pure and pure.”
Nonetheless, he joked, “After I first got here in, we misplaced seven video games in a row. Let’s not go down that highway.”