Rangers Claim Defenseman Vincent Iorio on Waivers

As the New York Rangers continue to work on trades following The Letter 2.0, they have claimed defenseman Vincent Iorio off waivers from the San Jose Sharks. 

Drafted in the second round of the 2021 draft (55th overall), Iorio is 6-4, 220 pound, right-handed defenseman that plays a reliable two way game. The 23-year-old was an intriguing prospect that turned some heads with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL, had success in the AHL, but hasn't quite found his footing in the NHL.

He spent three seasons with the Washington Capitals, mainly developing in the AHL with the Hershey Bears. During which, he appeared in 190 games, collected 56 points and helped the Bears win back-to-back Calder Cup Championships in 2023 and 2024. 

Iorio has moved around quite a bit as he started this season in Washington but was waived in October and claimed by the San Jose Sharks. At the time, he made sense for the Rangers considering their lack of defensive depth.

In 21 games played with the Sharks this season, Iorio has registered three assists, 12 penalty minutes and a plus minus rating of -4. With the San Jose Barracuda in the AHL, he was over a point-per-game with seven assists in six games played. His analytics aren't the best but he's a young player that in the right opportunity can be an effective bottom-six defenseman and for a retooling team like the Rangers, makes a ton of sense to take a gamble on.