Carolina Hurricanes deal defenseman Tony DeAngelo to Flyers for three NHL draft picks

The Carolina Hurricanes and defenseman Tony DeAngelo have parted ways after one season.

The Canes on Friday dealt DeAngelo, a restricted free agent, to the Philadelphia Flyers for three draft picks just before the second day of the 2022 NHL Draft began in Montreal.

The Canes sent DeAngelo and a 2022 seventh-round pick to the Flyers for a 2022 fourth-round pick, 2023 conditional third-round pick and a 2024 second-round selection.

DeAngelo, 26, came to the Canes last year in free agency, agreeing to a one-year, $1 million contract as he looked to get a fresh start after a controversial departure from the New York Rangers.

DeAngelo was often paired with defenseman Jaccob Slavin and quarterbacked the Canes’ top power-play unit. In 64 games, he had 10 goals and 41 assists (51 points) and helped fill the void left by the free-agent departure of Dougie Hamilton after the 2021 season.

DeAngelo said after the season that he hoped to sign an extension with the Hurricanes.

Hurricanes president and general manager Don Waddell told reporters in Montreal on Friday that the Canes were trying to re-sign DeAngelo until late Thursday night. Unable to reach an agreement, the Canes made the deal with the Flyers.

“It’s not a player we were looking to move on from,” Waddell told the media. “But it’s the way things worked out and I wish Tony the best.”

DeAngelo will receive a two-year contract with the Flyers paying $5 million a year, Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff reported Friday. A native of Sewell, New Jersey, he’ll be playing close to his hometown south of Philadelphia.

“It’s a dream come true for me,” DeAngelo said Friday, his comments provided by the Flyers. “I was born in Jersey, but really my entire family besides myself comes from Philly. That’s where we lived.

“Been a Flyers fan since the day I can remember. Like I said, it’s a dream come true. I just posted on Instagram. I could not be more excited to put the jersey over my shoulders. I’m looking forward to it.”

Waddell said the Canes now would look to add a defenseman, saying, “There are lots of guys who are available. Some teams are trying to move guys because of the money and all that, so it might work out pretty well for us.”

Dundon approved the DeAngelo signing last year when other NHL teams were taking a pass on a player bought out and released by the Rangers after an off-the-ice incident with a teammate. DeAngelo said a lot of perceived signing options “didn’t come to fruition,” but he found “open arms” with the Hurricanes.

DeAngelo also said he enjoyed the way Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour handled his players and his coaching style. In Philadelphia, he’ll be playing for new Flyers coach John Tortorella.

Asked Friday what he can provide for the Flyers, DeAngelo said: “I try to make offensive plays. At the same time, I think I’ve taken a lot of strides on the defensive side of the puck, too. That’s the main part of the game as a defenseman. You have got to defend. I think I’ve gotten better and better each year.”