The Tampa Bay Lightning selected defenseman Anthony DeAngelo with the 19th pick in this year’s National Hockey League entry draft.
An elite offensive defenseman with the Sarnia Sting in the Ontario Hockey League, DeAngelo comes with a skillset that will certainly turn heads moving forward. For context, consider that he was the CHL’s points/60 leader among draft eligible defensemen in all situations and at even strength alone this past season.
ICYMI: DeAngelo was the top scoring (P/60) draft eligible defenseman this year. Data courtesy of @ExtraSkater. pic.twitter.com/Xtaz0dS5JO
— Michael Stuart (@hockeybuzzstu) June 28, 2014As the Lightning attempt to build up their blue line prospect pool, DeAngelo fits in as an offensive specialist with top-four upside; he’s a right-hander, to boot. Speaking post-selection, he said that his style of play is most comparable to former Lightning defender Dan Boyle.
TSN’s Craig Button penned a scouting report on DeAngelo that builds on that comparison:
Exceptional ability with the puck. Can hold it to allow play to develop, is an excellent passer and he creates offense at every turn. Plays with a confidence and is able to play all night long. Exceptional vision and poise and productive.
With all this in mind, it’s worth noting that this selection comes with a certain element of risk. Character issues have been cited as the number one reason for his tumble down the draft board; he was suspended this past season on separate occasions for abusing officials and violating the Ontario Hockey League’s diversity policy.
As Steve Yzerman said in his post-pick interview with TSN’s James Duthie, however, the Lightning expect that he will mature and change like most young people do. Yzerman made it clear that the team had done its homework on this player, and the issues surrounding him, before calling his name on stage in Philadelphia. Al Murray, the Director of Amateur Scouting, remarked that he spent more time studying DeAngelo than any other prospect in his career.
While many will immediately call this a ‘bad pick’ because of the aforementioned concerns, it’s important to remember that we are talking about a teenager. Steve Yzerman and the Lightning are essentially taking a risk, with the potential reward being elite production. The Bolts are betting on a teenager to mature; it’s hard not to like the odds there. With that said, if he doesn't sort out the attitude issues, DeAngelo's career with the Bolts could be a short one.
After selecting DeAngelo at 19, the Lightning opted to trade their 28th overall pick to the New York Islanders in exchange for picks 35 and 57. Those selections will be made tomorrow.
I’ll close by posting this:
“The only thing missing was Pharrell Williams singing the Happy song,’’ quipped #TBLightning's Al Murray. “Otherwise everything was perfect
— Joe Smith (@TBTimes_JSmith) June 28, 2014As always, thanks for reading.
Michael Stuart has been the Tampa Bay Lightning writer for HockeyBuzz since 2012. Visit his archive to read more or follow him on Twitter.