The Rangers now have to decide their next move with Tony DeAngelo.
After instigating a physical altercation with goalkeeper Alexandar Georgiev after Saturday’s defeat in overtime for the Penguins, which was apparently the last straw for Rangers and led the organization to put him at risk of exemption on Sunday, the polarizer defense released the exemptions on Monday at noon.
Of course, no other team was willing to take on the No. 77 two-year contract, which brings in an annual maximum of $ 4.8 million, or their antics off the ice.
DeAngelo probably played his last game for Rangers after Saturday night’s incident, which followed a communication breakdown between him and Georgiev during the extra time that led to Sidney Crosby’s winning goal. DeAngelo made a comment to Georgiev as soon as the team left the ice, leading to the fight.
The Post’s Larry Brooks reported on Monday morning that novice defender K’Andre Miller ended the event and no other players were involved.
“This is not an incident, it is not a thing and this is a situation that the organization felt was the best at the moment,” said coach David Quinn on Sunday. “Let’s see how the situation unfolds.”
The Rangers have some courses of action they can take to part with DeAngelo, who has been placed on regular exemptions instead of unconditional exemptions. According to the CBA, DeAngelo would have to make up for unconditional waivers in order for the team to terminate his contract.
If that is the path the club decides to take, it would have to claim that DeAngelo violated Section 14 of the Standard Players Agreement, which states that a team “may also terminate this SPC by giving written notice to the Player if the player does so. at any time: a) fails, neglects or refuses to obey the Club rules governing the training and conduct of the Players if such failure, refusal or negligence constitutes a material violation of this SPC. “
DeAngelo, 25, and his agent, Pat Brisson, would certainly counterattack with a legal challenge. The Rangers have been working with Brisson to come up with a solution, the Post learned.
The Rangers could find a trading partner, which the team tried and failed to do in the past off-season, but would probably have to retain a considerable portion of the money due to DeAngelo. Orchestrating an exchange would be the most immediate route to separation.
It is safe to say that the Rangers would not like to keep DeAngelo close to the team, sending him to the taxi squad or the AHL team affiliate in Hartford. If the organization chooses to keep him off the active NHL list, he will cut $ 1.075 million from this year’s salary cap, but will still be at risk for his entire salary.
Although not ideal, the Rangers would have some room for maneuver and a more manageable purchase option this summer. Buying the last year of his contract would put the cap at $ 383,333 for the 2021-22 season and $ 883,333 in 2022-23, by CapFriendly.
Another option for the Rangers would be to wait for the Seattle expansion project scheduled for July 31, 2021. The Rangers could leave DeAngelo unprotected and wait for the Kraken to claim it.
In addition, the DeAngelo contract can be purchased by any team for 1/3 of the remaining contract value, as it is under 26 years old.
It is unclear whether the Rangers have the right to simply send DeAngelo home for the rest of the season and continue to deposit their bimonthly paychecks directly if they cannot find another team to take him.
In the six games he played this season, DeAngelo recorded an assist and is a collective of less-six. He was on the ice for the winner of the Crosby overtime game on Saturday, as well as the Penguins’ first three goals in five against five. Rangers gave DeAngelo a two-year contract, $ 9.6 million, after he scored 53 points (15 goals, 38 assists) last season, the fourth highest number among NHL defenders.