The Edmonton Oilers shall be seeking to make it again to the Stanley Cup Ultimate this season and hope to win it reasonably than be the runner-up. Their purpose is obvious as they’d an entertaining summer time filled with trades, supply sheets, and signings which have strengthened the lineup heading into the 2024-25 marketing campaign. After shedding each Philip Broberg and Cody Ceci, the Oilers have a little bit of a gap on the fitting facet of their blue line, and it’s been rumoured they’re seeking to fill that gap by way of both knowledgeable tryout contract (PTO) or a commerce. In a current report in reference to standard hockey pundit Frank Seravalli, the Oilers could have an defender who’s keen to play for a low price ticket. Tony DeAngelo, who has usually been criticized for his off-ice antics, is the participant Seravalli believes the Oilers ought to be concentrating on, and mentions DeAngelo as somebody who would play for minimal if the chance offered itself.
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DeAngelo isn’t the primary defender who has been related to the Oilers this offseason by Seravalli, however he appears to be essentially the most attention-grabbing one. Together with Tyson Barrie, Justin Schultz, and Kevin Shattenkirk, DeAngelo joins an inventory of gamers who’re all in search of new offers for this season. Seravalli appears adamant that DeAngelo, regardless of his previous points, can be an awesome match with the Oilers. These previous points could possibly be one thing that turns the Oilers away from signing him, however they’ve been identified to be forgiving and provides gamers one other likelihood within the NHL, so it’s not out of the query.
The problem I’m referring to with DeAngelo occurred throughout his time with the New York Rangers in the course of the 2020-21 season. He and goaltender Alexandar Georgiev reportedly had an altercation outdoors the staff dressing room on Jan. 30, 2021 after an time beyond regulation loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The following day the Rangers determined to position DeAngelo on waivers, drastically altering his profession trajectory instantly. DeAngelo admitted to beginning the struggle between the 2, however performed it down. He additionally admitted to discovering out he was positioned on waivers by way of social media. Whereas he appeared keen to earn his spot again on the Rangers, then-GM Jeff Gorton introduced DeAngelo had performed his final sport as a Ranger.
DeAngelo May Present Strong Depth, However Isn’t Finest Possibility Obtainable
The Oilers’ principal priorities heading into the season ought to be enhancing their top-four defensive pairings, particularly discovering a defensive-minded accomplice for Darnell Nurse, and seeking to spend on the 2025 Commerce Deadline to assist load up for a deep Stanley Cup playoff run. With DeAngelo keen to signal for the minimal, it could possibly be a low-risk, high-reward choice to convey him into coaching camp on a PTO and seeing how he performs. It’s truthful to imagine DeAngelo can be on the third pairing alongside Brett Kulak, thus elevating new acquisition Ty Emberson alongside Nurse, which doesn’t actually remedy their downside.
Emberson can be a stable accomplice for Nurse and if he’s the selection for the top-four position to begin the season, followers shall be happy with what he can present defensively. Sadly, the defensive depth remains to be a fear after that, and Emberson is younger and unproven regardless of a robust displaying in a small pattern measurement with the San Jose Sharks final season. DeAngelo brings a stable offensive facet, however his defensive sport will not be one thing to rave about.
If the Oilers had been in search of one other offensive blue liner, I’d be on board with bringing in DeAngelo on a PTO, simply to see if he’d match as a bottom-pairing defender. Nonetheless, there are higher choices obtainable contemplating what the Oilers have to do to enhance. Schultz can be the best selection out of the remaining free brokers since his two-way sport has at all times been stable, and he performed loads of minutes with the Seattle Kraken final season. Nonetheless, it’s unknown what route the Oilers are going to go in.
With coaching camp slowly approaching, the Oilers will quickly have to decide on in the event that they’re going to do something in any respect earlier than the brand new season. I’d assume it’s a given they hand out a couple of PTOs to each some forwards and a pair defenders and allow them to battle it out. There’s an open spot on the fitting facet of the blue line that Josh Brown, Troy Stecher, and whoever else they resolve to convey into coaching camp will battle for. Hopefully, the Oilers can discover somebody reasonably priced who might help convey them their first Stanley Cup since 1990.