Tony DeAngelo eyes Edmonton Oilers for his NHL future

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Sam Jones
August 30, 2024 (11:12)

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In a recent surge of NHL offseason buzz, Frank Seravalli revealed that Tony DeAngelo, an unrestricted free agent, is eager to join the Edmonton Oilers, even if it means signing for the league minimum.

This news comes at a crucial time for the Oilers, who are on the hunt for a new defenseman following the departures of Philip Broberg, Dylan Holloway, and Cody Ceci.

The discussion unfolded on "Oilers Now," hosted by Bob Stauffer, where Seravalli highlighted DeAngelo's readiness to contribute significantly to the team. Known for his offensive prowess, DeAngelo could bring a much-needed boost to the Oilers' backline. His potential addition could address the gap left by three key players, positioning him as a valuable asset for the team's strategy moving forward.

"I'll throw one other name at you that I don't think has gotten much play internally but I think is a better player than all the names that I mentioned and who's still unsigned: Tony DeAngelo," Seravalli said. "I think what you're talking about is the potential for a 50-point defenceman on your team that is still in his 20s, that is ready, willing, and able to play for close to the league minimum and would absolutely love to be in Edmonton."

Despite his skills on the ice, DeAngelo is not without controversy. His career has been speckled with both on and off-ice incidents, including disputes with team members and coaches, as well as his outspoken political views, which have polarized fan opinions. Nonetheless, Seravalli notes that DeAngelo is well-regarded among his teammates, suggesting that his professional relationships may outweigh his public controversies.

"All the intel that I have is that he's a really well-liked teammate," Seravalli commented. "Have there been some skirmishes or scuffles that have popped up over the course of his career? Did he gain notoriety for his Twitter account? Yeah, I mean, those things are all true, or some of them are true, some of them have become legend."

Seravalli's insights also touch on the broader team-building strategy for the Oilers, emphasizing the necessity of choosing players who can contribute to winning a championship rather than simply winning popularity contests.

"When it comes to filling this roster - and the Oilers have shown this before, think about the player we were just talking about in Evander Kane - like, it can't be a popularity contest," Seravalli added. "I say this all the time when we talk about building a team. Are we looking to have a team of nice guys who win in the community, or are we looking to have a team that wins the Stanley Cup? I think there's a way to blend both of those missions, but I'm not leaving any stone unturned on trying to win a Stanley Cup."

As the Oilers strategize their roster for another potential Stanley Cup run, the addition of a player like DeAngelo could indeed be a game-changer, provided the management is willing to navigate the complexities of his past controversies. The coming weeks will be telling, as the Oilers decide if DeAngelo's potential on-ice contributions will outweigh the off-ice dramas he may bring with him.

Source: OilersNation

Seravalli: Tony DeAngelo would �love to be in Edmonton,' is willing to play for cheap