Now that Anthony DeAngelo is back with the Carolina Hurricanes under a one-year agreement, questions arose around the desire of the Philadelphia Flyers to buy out his contract, merely a year after signing it. Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer shed some insight on this, getting a quote from DeAngelo saying, “The coach and I wound up not fitting together, I guess that would be the main reason” (Tweet Link).
This is not the first instance of a player not fitting with head coach John Tortorella in Philadelphia, or even over the course of Tortorella’s career. Arguably the Flyers’ top offensive player last season, Tortorella infamously benched forward Kevin Hayes earlier in the season, leading to a divorce in late June, as Hayes was traded to the St.Louis Blues.
In his only season with Philadelphia, DeAngelo actually received more playing than at any other point in his career, sitting second out of all Flyers’ players averaging just over 22 minutes a night. However, his effort on the defensive side of the puck, or lack thereof, was called into question again, evidenced by his low oiSV%. Historically, Tortorella has not only desired but required a high defensive work ethic even from more of his offensively gifted talent.
Other snapshots:
- The Calgary Wranglers of the AHL have announced a one-year deal to retain their captain, Brett Sutter. A veteran with 60 games played at the NHL level earlier in his career, Sutter is most known for his play in the minor leagues. Playing 1,044 games over 17 seasons spent with the Calgary Wranglers, Ontario Reign, Iowa Wild, and Charlotte Checkers, Sutter has accrued 190 goals and 263 assists, wearing the “C” for three different organizations.
- In more unfortunate news, the NHL Alumni Association announced the passing of former Buffalo Sabre, Joe Kowal today at the age of 67. Kowal was drafted by the Sabres with the 33rd overall pick in the 1976 NHL Draft and managed 22 games in Buffalo over two years at the NHL level. All of us at PHR extend our condolences to Kowal’s family.
This is one of those situations where Torts is probably in the right.
TDA can be effective when utilized properly.
Sure, but only on offense. Defense is an issue and his locker room rep has worn thin wherever he’s been.
He’s a shot of offensive energy for the Canes. Trust me, he’s welcome in the locker room.
So thin that Carolina brought him right back.
He was very well liked in the Canes locker room. Got along with everyone.
I don’t follow the Flyers, but in any case, this seems like terrible asset management.
you are correct
So DeAngelo is saying it’s the coach as much as him, wonder who’s fault it was in TB, Ari, NYR?
He must just get all bad coach’s except in Carolina?
Let’s see – he only had a 1 yr contract last time in Carolina too, maybe that’s the answer?
Must be since Torts never had any issue with any player anywhere.