Tony DeAngelo Clears Waivers
Tony DeAngelo has cleared waivers.
The sun rose in the east this morning. In related news, DeAngelo clears. Unclear what comes next in this saga.
— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) February 1, 2021
Rangers still determining next steps for DeAngelo now that he has cleared waivers and working closely on it with his agent Pat Brisson https://t.co/PXLQB0DcGo
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) February 1, 2021
It is unknown what will come next for DeAngelo, but the Rangers now have a few options given that he’s cleared waivers.
There is the AHL, although I think it is unlikely that the team would assign him to the Hartford Wolf Pack, and it is similarly unlikely DeAngelo would accept the assignment to begin with. The AHL season is set to get underway on Friday February 5, and this year the Wolf Pack will be playing games against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and the Providence Bruins because there were teams that opted out of the season due to COVID-19.
There’s also the potential of a trade, with the Rangers retaining salary, or taking a contract back as pointed out by Larry Brooks.
Likelihood of DeAngelo being claimed slim to none, but trade might be possible if NYR are willing to take money back, either by keeping 50% of the $4.8M or by taking contract back...
— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) February 1, 2021
It is true that every team in the league had an opportunity to claim DeAngelo, but the financial environment of a flat cap has resulted in teams reducing their payroll, or simply not having the salary cap space. Lastly, the Rangers could send DeAngelo home, keeping him on ice for the moment as they try to figure things out if a trade doesn’t materialize right away.
With DeAngelo now in limbo, Anthony Bitetto will take his place in the lineup as Jack Johnson is expected to remain out because of a groin injury. Bitetto grew up a Ranger fan, and joined the team as a free agent this offseason. He’s appeared in 183 games in his NHL career, including 51 with the Winnipeg Jets last season.
