DeAngelo Looks to Contribute More Offensively for Rangers

Tony DeAngelo said while he's always confident in his abilities, he wants to do more to contribute offensively.
"I'm comfortable, I'm confident. I'm always confident but I just need to - I'd like to get more production on the offensive side," DeAngelo told NYRangers.com before the Blueshirts host the Bruins tonight. "Create a little more here. Defensively I've been pretty decent. Obviously there's some stuff I can work on, but overall not bad. I'd like to get more involved in the offense if I can. That's my goal tonight."

DeAngelo had two assists in his first three games after being recalled for Hartford for the Jan. 20 game in Colorado. But he's been held without a point over the last four games, while posting just eight shots on goal. Since his return, he has 14 shots in seven games.
"I've got to start shooting more," DeAngelo said when asked if he agreed with coach Alain Vigneault's similar assessment. "It's kind of a little habit from the past. [Vigneault is] right there. Just getting involved in the offense."
DeAngelo is a smooth skater who has posted great numbers in the past, including 16 points in 25 games a year ago with Tucson of the American Hockey League that followed a 43-point campaign with Syracuse the year prior.
With that said, DeAngelo knows to not sacrifice strong defense for offense, but he is cognizant of playing to his strengths when the opportunity presents itself.
"I need to get involved more, try and jump up in the play," he said. "But I've got to be smart, too. I'm not looking to be giving up 2-on-1s or anything, but if I can, I'll be looking to jump."
Vigneault said he, too, wants to see utilize his assets with the puck more, namely in breakout situations and supporting his teammates with the puck.
"I see a lot of skill there and upside, but you've got a young player, you've got a learning curve, you've got consistency that you're working on," Vigneault said, "but there's definitely some positive things to work with there."
With the Rangers' blueline banged up with Kevin Shattenkirk and Marc Staal on the shelf due to injuries, DeAngelo has the chance to make his mark and show he belongs in the NHL. But Vigneault said it's not just about the opportunity, but rather making the most with it.
"You can see it that way, but at the end of the day, if you want to make a statement in the NHL and stay in the NHL, you've got to perform on the ice," he said. "He's always been considered an offensive type defenseman, a power play type of defenseman. We're trying to make sure that he gets those opportunities, and when he gets those opportunities, he performs. He's working hard and we like that part, but we've got to make sure we keep steering him in the right direction."
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There's some light at the end of the injury tunnel for the Rangers, as Vigneault had positive news for all five Blueshirts currently on the mend.
Vigneault said Pavel Buchnevich and Jimmy Vesey, both of whom are out with concussions, skated this morning, as did Chris Kreider, who has been out since Dec. 27 following a blood clot in his arm.
Staal, meanwhile, continues to deal with neck issues that will keep him out of the lineup for the second consecutive game following a hit he suffered on Saturday in Nashville.
Vigneault added that Shattenkirk is off crutches following knee surgery late last month.