News

Rangers Place Tony DeAngelo On Waivers Following Altercation With Teammate

DeAngelo: NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 14: Tony DeAngelo #77 of the New York Rangers skates against the New York Islanders at Madison Square Garden on January 14, 2021 in New York City. The Islanders defeated the Rangers 4-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

On Sunday, the New York Rangers placed defenseman Tony DeAngelo on waivers. The decision to place the 25-year-old on waivers stems from an altercation following the team’s loss on Saturday.

New York faced off against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. The Rangers were able to stall and match the Penguins in the game. The game was even as the score was tied at four and went into overtime. During overtime, it was Penguins’ star Sidney Crosby that scored the game-winning goal as it slipped past Rangers’ goaltender Alexandar Georgiev.

The altercation occurred immediately after the loss. As the teams were heading into their respective tunnels, DeAngelo started the altercation by saying remarks towards the goalie following the loss. It is believed that the two had a miscommunication on the ice, prior to Crosby’s game-winning goal. The defenseman made a remark to the goalie that caused the altercation to become physical between the two players. Luckily, the two were broken up by teammate K’Andre Miller.

The Rangers responded to this incident by placing the 25-year-old defenseman on waivers the following day. The decision to waive the young player goes beyond Saturday’s incident. The 25-year-old has had prior issues regarding his behavior on and off the ice and recent poor performances did not help his cause. It goes without saying that this latest incident was the breaking point for the Rangers.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.

While playing for the Arizona Coyotes in 2017, the defenseman was suspended for abuse of an official. Furthermore, he was suspended twice in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) for violating the league’s harassment, abuse and diversity policy. New York already disciplined him in the past for social media behavior that drew criticism.

DeAngelo’s waivers clause expire on Monday. If no team claims him, he would remain with New York. If that were the case, then it is likely the team would demote him to their affiliated development team, the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL.