As per a report by Larry Brooks of the NY Post: “More than one team was interested in signing Tony DeAngelo as a free agent prior to Monday’s trade deadline had he been placed on, and cleared, irrevocable waivers.” Prior to this news, it was thought that perhaps just the Montreal Canadiens had kicked tires on acquiring the controversial defenseman, but, apparently, there was a lot more at play that didn’t pan out.
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While previous reports suggested that DeAngelo declined terminating his current contract so that a team like Montreal could sign him as a free agent, other teams had the same idea. In the end, “there was just not enough time to enable DeAngelo to find the right fit…” As such, he’ll be bought out this coming offseason and those same teams can take a look at him this summer.
Or, there is always a chance the 25-year-old could be selected by Seattle in the expansion draft, although that’s not likely.
The total cost of a buyout will mean the Rangers are stuck with $383,333 of dead cap space next season and $883,333 the following year.
The Contract Termination Was DeAngelo’s Idea
As per the report:
Sources indicated DeAngelo’s party brought the concept of contract termination via irrevocable waivers to the Rangers, who of course would have been only too happy to comply. But the offer was contingent upon the defenseman being able to reach a contract agreement with an interested club.
The problem was the term. While a source told The Post that Montreal would have made DeAngelo financially whole by making up for the losses he would have incurred not being paid by the Rangers, Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin was more interested in the righty on a multi-year deal. It seems that was not something DeAngelo was interested in.
Instead, it sound like he wanted to be a loaner for a couple of months then test free agency. He believes there are still a number of teams that will call in the summer and he’ll be better off financially going to the highest bidder.
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