Rangers break ties with Tony DeAngelo after post-game altercation: reports
Defenceman, 25, placed on waivers less than 4 months after extending contract
The slumping New York Rangers placed defenceman Tony DeAngelo on waivers Sunday, one day after he struggled in a 5-4 overtime loss to Pittsburgh.
DeAngelo, 25, and in his fifth NHL season, was on ice for four of the Penguins' goals in that defeat.
According to multiple reports, the Rangers decision to cut ties with DeAngelo was triggered by a physical alteration between the player and goalie Alex Georgiev after the game.
The altercation, according to the New York Post's Larry Brooks and Rick Carpiniello of The Athletic, began in the tunnel before spilling into the dressing room.
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—@RickCarpinielloA miscommunication or mishap between DeAngelo and Georgiev, resulted in one of the Penguins goals.
While the altercation between DeAngelo and Georgiev is said to have been quickly broken up, Georgiev was subsequently held out of Sunday's practice for "maintenance."
WATCH | Crosby finishes off Rangers in overtime:
Earlier this season, DeAngelo was also benched by head coach David Quinn for a third-period unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and complaining loudly to the referees after drawing a holding penalty.
New York has been unimpressive on the blue-line through eight games, going 2-4-2, last in the highly competitive East Division. But DeAngelo, who signed a two-year, $9.6-million US contract in the off-season, is gone.
DeAngelo was a fixture on the power play for much of his career, his first season in Arizona and the next three in New York. He had one assist and a minus-6 rating in six games this season after scoring 15 goals and 53 points in 68 contests in the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 campaign.
Quinn was evasive when asked about the move.
"This was just a decision the organization made and we will see how it works out," he told reporters. "I get the questions, I know you want more specifics, but like I said, a decision we made as an organization, and in 24 hours we will be able to probably be a little more specific.
"A handful of guys maybe aren't playing at the level they were playing last year and you could probably say Tony would be one of them, but he's not the only one."
With files from CBC Sports
