Ex-Flyer Tony DeAngelo Joins Carolina Hurricanes After All

In one of the most bizarre hockey sagas in recent memory, ex-Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Tony DeAngelo finally re-joins the Carolina Hurricanes. DeAngelo was originally slated to be traded, but was bought out by the Flyers after a deal could not be struck. 

It was announced mid-Monday afternoon by Frank Seravalli that Tony DeAngelo will finally re-join the Carolina Hurricanes –  a little over a year after being traded to the Philadelphia Flyers. DeAngelo is expected to sign a one-year contract worth $1.6 million, a little more than half of what his salary would have been ($2.5 million) if the Flyers would have traded him and retained 50 percent of his original salary.

Edit: Tony DeAngelo’s contract is officially a one-year, $1.675 million deal. 

Tony DeAngelo’s Flyers tenure ended unceremoniously, concluding the 2022-23 season with a series of healthy scratches at the hands of head coach John Tortorella. Tortorella has been known to pull no punches when he has issues with his players throughout his career, and Tony DeAngelo was his latest victim. Because Tortorella had such big issues with DeAngelo and Kevin Hayes, teams knew that the Flyers would accept anything in return for them, being they wouldn’t play in Philly again under Tortorella.

As a result, John Tortorella indirectly cost the Flyers organization at least some value in the asset they got back for Kevin Hayes. Similarly, the team couldn’t even give Tony DeAngelo away for free. As a result, he was bought out, and will remain on the Flyers’ books for two years rather than one.

When Tony DeAngelo was originally scheduled to be traded to Carolina, the Flyers were expected to receive an unsigned center prospect back. That prospect was later revealed to be Massimo Rizzo, who was a teammate of Bobby Brink’s at the University of Denver.

The failed trade turned out to be a great loss for the Philadelphia Flyers, because Massimo Rizzo is actually a great player. He led Denver in scoring this past year, and frequently showcases his skill on highlight reel goals. In the long-term, Rizzo would’ve been an amazing get, especially in exchange for a player with no future in Philly like Tony DeAngelo.

Alas, the Tony DeAngelo saga finally, officially, comes to an anti-climactic end. No trades, no drama, no salary cap shenanigans. Just a buyout and a regular old free agent contract.