Tony DeAngelo hits rock bottom and is forced to sign outside of the NHL
Tony DeAngelo is a player who is known for being a bit of a troublemaker whom his teammates don’t like very much.
He was kicked off of the New York Rangers for his behavior, and since that time, he has jumped between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Philadelphia Flyers. Last season, he had 11 points in 31 games with the Hurricanes. However, once the season ended, he was unable to find himself a job. He has continued to pursue an NHL contract, but no team has been willing to give it to him.
Now, it appears as though DeAngelo will be signing a $1 million deal with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL. This team currently boasts the talents of Evgeny Kuztensov and Ivan Demidov.
No matter what, this is going to be interesting to watch play out. DeAngelo has been a bit of an issue throughout his career, and now, he is going somewhere with a completely different culture. Only time will tell whether or not he can be a success overseas. If he is, perhaps he can change the narrative around himself and maybe even secure a new NHL gig.
Source: HockeyDB
Tony DeAngelo Statistics
More must-reads:
- Oilers winger expected to miss at least four months
- Watch: Blues hilariously troll Utah Hockey Club for preseason own goal
- The ‘Active RBI leaders’ quiz
TODAY’S BEST
NHL
3 Takeaways from Maple Leafs’ 6-5 Loss to the Senators
In a back-and-forth preseason matchup, the Toronto Maple Leafs fell short against the Ottawa Senators, losing 6-5 in overtime. Despite a high-scoring affair, several key performances and issues stood out. Here are three takeaways from the game: Although it’s not one of the three takeaways, Max Pacioretty had a surprisingly strong game for the Maple Leafs. He logged over 15 minutes of ice time and contributed two goals and an assist. His offensive presence was felt throughout the game, as he recorded six shots on goal and showed that he can still be a key player when healthy. Takeaway One: William Nylander’s Offensive Prowess Shines Despite Defensively Challenging Night William Nylander continues to prove his value as one of the Maple Leafs’ top offensive talents. In this game, Nylander was at the forefront of generating scoring opportunities, setting up plays, and utilizing his creativity to put the Senators’ defense on its heels. Experimenting with the center position, Nylander showed his versatility. He won a few faceoffs and adapted well to a new role. This could be an asset for the Maple Leafs, especially if he continues to grow in his faceoff abilities. Nylander’s playmaking was instrumental in driving the offense. He consistently found space and created chances for himself and his teammates, contributing to the team’s offensive push. On the downside, like many of his teammates, Nylander struggled on the defensive side of the puck. The high-scoring game highlighted gaps in defensive coverage. Nylander’s shift to center showed that more work is needed on the defensive end, particularly regarding backchecking and supporting his defensemen. Takeaway Two: High Score Suggests Goaltending Issues The 6-5 scoreline indicated significant defensive and goaltending issues for the Maple Leafs. Both Matt Murray and Joseph Woll were tested throughout the game, but neither was able to shut down the Senators’ offense consistently. Woll allowed four goals before being pulled, while Murray gave up two, including the game-winner in overtime. After a solid season last year, Woll faced some preseason inconsistency. This game wasn’t his best showing, raising questions about his form heading into the regular season. Murray looked sharper but couldn’t hold off Ottawa in the extra frame. His potential as a reliable backup remains intact, but he’ll need stronger performances to challenge for starts. Takeaway Three: Defensive Breakdown and Special Teams Performance The Maple Leafs’ defensive lapses allowed Ottawa to capitalize on multiple opportunities. A mix of turnovers, missed coverages, and an inability to close down scoring chances left the Maple Leafs vulnerable. The fact that they were not playing against the Senators’ best lineup made the game a bit iffy. The Maple Leafs’ power play sometimes looked dangerous, scoring two goals. However, their penalty kill struggled to contain Ottawa’s man advantage. The team must tighten up their special teams heading into the regular season. The Bottom Line for Game 1 of the Preseason Although it’s still the preseason, the game revealed the Maple Leafs’ strengths and weaknesses. Nylander’s offensive output remains a bright spot, and his potential move to center could bring additional versatility to the lineup. However, defensive breakdowns and goaltending concerns must be addressed before the regular season begins. There’s still lots of time to fine-tune these issues, but the team must focus on tightening their play to meet their lofty expectations.
NFL
NFL Week 3 winners: Unlikely QBs shine, Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry make statements
With most of the Week 3 schedule complete, let’s look at some of the biggest winners from Sunday’s action. Malik Willis, quarterback, Green Bay Packers Willis proved the naysayers wrong for a second straight week, passing for 202 yards (13-of-19) with two total touchdowns in a 30-14 win over the Tennessee Titans. The former third-rounder isn’t going to steal Jordan Love’s job, but he’s played admirably (324 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 turnovers), which could create a future opportunity to start elsewhere. Andy Dalton, quarterback, Carolina Panthers After looking like the worst team in the NFL heading into Week 3, the Panthers looked like a completely different squad with Dalton leading the way. In Sunday’s 36-22 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, the 14-year veteran was unstoppable (26-of-37, 319 yards, 3 TDs), becoming the first quarterback in 2024 to throw for at least 300 yards and three touchdowns in a game, per CBS Sports. Saquon Barkley, running back, Philadelphia Eagles The Eagles’ defense bounced back, allowing only 219 total yards in Sunday’s 15-12 win over the New Orleans Saints after getting gashed by the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2. However, Philadelphia would’ve walked away losers without Barkley’s explosive fourth quarter. The prized free-agent acquisition had an amazing day in midnight green, rushing for 147 yards (8.6 YPA) while scoring 15 points in the final quarter. Derrick Henry, running back, Baltimore Ravens The four-time Pro Bowler bullied the Dallas Cowboys, rushing for 151 yards (6.0 YPA) and two touchdowns in a 28-25 victory. For Henry, it was his 12th career game with at least 150 yards and two scores and his first since Week 8 of 2022, helping the Ravens avoid an 0-3 start. Malik Nabers, wide receiver, New York Giants Nabers looks to be rounding into form after a lackluster Week 1 debut (5 receptions, 66 yards). In the Giants’ 21-15 victory over the Cleveland Browns, the 2024 No. 6 pick posted 78 yards, eight receptions and two touchdowns. He’s the only player in NFL history to have at least 271 yards, 23 catches and three scores over the first three weeks of their rookie campaign. Denver Broncos defense In Sunday’s dominant 26-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they allowed only 223 yards, posting seven sacks and two turnovers, which led to 14 points. After finishing 29th in total defense a year ago, the Broncos look much better on that side of the football in Vance Joesph’s second year, keeping two opponents to 13 points or less through three weeks, which they did only four times in 2023. Justin Fields, quarterback, Pittsburgh Steelers The Steelers defense has led the way to a 3-0 start, becoming only the fifth unit since 2000 to hold opponents to 10 points or fewer through the first three weeks of the season. Fields has been just as vital, posting a two-touchdown performance (25-of-32, 245 yards) in Sunday’s 20-10 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. He’s making a solid case to keep the starting job, registering 518 passing yards with a 95.3 passer rating and a 73.3 completion percentage this season, the best and most efficient three-game stretch of his four-year career. Sam Darnold, quarterback, Minnesota Vikings Darnold continued to be one of the biggest surprises of 2024, notching four touchdown passes in a 34-7 blowout over the Houston Texans to help the Vikings improve to 3-0. The former No. 3 pick threw for only 181 yards but spread the ball nicely, connecting four separate targets in the endzone, ending the day with the most scores through the air (8) in the NFL through three weeks.
MLB
Phillies manager reveals plans for postseason roster
Now that the Phillies have officially clinched a spot in the postseason, manager Rob Thomson spoke to reporters (including Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer) earlier on Saturday about the club’s plans for the postseason roster. Per Coffey, the club appears to be leaning towards a 12-man pitching staff and an expanded bench for the playoffs this year. Garrett Stubbs, Edmundo Sosa, Kody Clemens, Weston Wilson, and Cal Stevenson currently make up the club’s bench mix. Stubbs and Sosa are all but guaranteed spots on the postseason bench as the club’s backup catcher and primary utility infielder respectively, but if the club plans to utilize a five-man bench in the postseason then there are still three spots up for grabs. In addition to Clemens, Wilson, and Stevenson, Coffey notes that recently optioned infielder Buddy Kennedy could be in the mix for a spot on the postseason bench as well. Perhaps most notably, outfielder Austin Hays also figures to factor into the club’s bench conversation this postseason despite having spent the entire month of September to this point on the IL due to a kidney infection. Hays began a rehab assignment at Triple-A earlier on Saturday and while that rehab stint only figures to last two days with the Triple-A season set to end on Sunday, Thomson indicated to reporters (including Coffey) that the club isn’t concerned about the lack of in-game reps due to the fact that, if the Phillies secure a bye through the wild-card round as they currently seem poised to do, Hays would be able to get plenty of at-bats in intra-squad games during that layoff prior to the NLDS. Hays, 28, started the season with the Orioles but was dealt to the Phillies in the trade that sent right-hander Seranthony Dominguez to Baltimore ahead of the trade deadline back in July. Overall, he’s been a roughly league-average bat this year with a .254/.305/.388 slash line (96 wRC+), though he was above average before slumping in Philadelphia as he adjusted to a bench role. With that said, he’s still an excellent source of offense against left-handed pitching, as demonstrated by his sensational 166 wRC+ against righties this season. That could make him a perfect platoon partner of sorts for Brandon Marsh, who the Phils have worked to protect from same-handed pitching for much of the year. If Hays joins Sosa and Stubbs on the club’s bench, that would leave two spots available for the other four names that seem to be in discussion. Stevenson has enjoyed semi-regular playing time in a platoon with Johan Rojas in center field over the past month and could continue in a similar role into the playoffs, while Clemens has the strongest record of the group as a pinch hitter this year and could therefore be an attractive option as well. That being said, both Wilson and Kennedy could be viable alternatives if the club prefers more right-handed options on the bench beyond Sosa and Hays. Set to join Hays on a rehab assignment Sunday is right-hander Spencer Turnbull, who MLB.com’s Injury Tracker notes is expected to start the season finale at Triple-A before continuing his rehab at the club’s complex in Florida. It’s a step in the right direction for the 32-year-old, who has been shelved since late June due to a lat strain but could still return to the club during the postseason. The right-hander was nothing short of excellent for the Phillies in a swing role early this year, pitching to a 2.65 ERA with a 3.85 FIP in 54 1/3 innings of work. Speaking of injured right-handers, Coffey noted that top pitching prospect Andrew Painter could be in the conversation to participate in the Arizona Fall League as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery, per president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. Painter has been throwing to live hitters in the club’s Florida complex, but Dombrowski noted that the club has avoided making a firm decision on his availability for the AFL so as to not put pressure on the 21-year-old to get ahead of himself in his rehab. The club’s top pitching prospect and a consensus top-30 prospect in the sport, Painter was in the conversation for the club’s Opening Day roster after a dominant spring training last year but ended up undergoing Tommy John surgery before being sidelined by injuries and eventually going under the knife. The youngster figures to be ready to return in time for the 2025 season, but a return this fall in Arizona would be an encouraging development for a youngster who has lost plenty of reps over the past two seasons due to injury.
NFL
Packers Rally Around Malik Willis’ Humility, Leadership
NASHVILLE — As Malik Willis walked off the field at Nissan Stadium on Sunday, the thought at the top of his mind was who in the stands would receive his towel and hat. In a matchup meeting all the criteria for a “revenge game,” Willis was not worried about any other factors on Sunday as he led the Green Bay Packers to a 30-14 win over the Tennessee Titans, who had traded him away less than a month ago. “It don’t make no difference to me,” Willis said when asked if he had any extra emotions in his return to Nashville. “I like to play football. ‘Are we playing football out there? That’s cool.’ That’s it.” The Packers have rallied around Willis, acquired by the team just 27 days prior to the Week 3 win. Not because of the default leadership that comes with the quarterback position, but because of his humility and work ethic that have led to results. “I just cannot articulate the job that he’s done in this short period of time,” coach Matt LaFleur said. “People can’t fathom it. I promise you, you guys don’t get it. I know you think you got it, but you don’t get it. What he’s been able to do, I’ve never seen something like this.” Packers safety Xavier McKinney knows Willis better than anyone else in the locker room. The two played together Roswell High School in Georgia. He and the quarterback grew through challenges together en route to a season that ended in a loss in the state championship. “I love seeing him be successful,” McKinney said. “I tell him every game like, ‘We with you to the wheels fall off. I’m with you to the wheels fall off.’ That’s what it is. We got a special bond, man. He always going to be my guy outside of just the football part of it.” Similar to McKinney, wide receiver Christian Watson had respect for Willis before the two became teammates. Watson remembers admiring Willis’ approach when their paths crossed at the Reese’s Senior Bowl before the 2022 draft. “I seen how he was approaching the Senior Bowl,” Watson said. “I knew that he had that ‘dawg’ mentality. … Just the way that he came in and approached meetings and practices. I knew exactly what he was going to be about.”
Be the first to comment