Vincent Iorio is headed back east, but not to join the Washington Capitals.
The 23-year-old defenseman was claimed off NHL waivers by the New York Rangers on Saturday from the San Jose Sharks. The Rangers are the second team to pluck Iorio off waivers this season after the Sharks grabbed him from the Capitals in October.
In his nearly four months spent with the surging Sharks, Iorio played in 21 games and recorded three assists. The 2021 second-round pick averaged 16:30 of ice time per game, seeing regular time (1:37) on San Jose’s penalty kill unit every time he dressed.
Iorio’s last game for the Sharks came against the Capitals, a 3-2 win on January 15, where he played 17:56 of ice time and recorded two shots on goal and a minor penalty for interfering with former Calder Cup champion teammate Ethen Frank. He has been a healthy scratch for San Jose’s last six games.
Earlier this year, the Coquitlam, British Columbia native made the Capitals’ Opening Night roster for the first time in his career but was a healthy scratch in all four of the club’s games to begin the 2025-26 campaign. Iorio had played in nine NHL games for the Caps since the 2022-23 season. He is yet to score his first NHL goal.
With the Rangers, Iorio joins a team that has already announced its intention to implement a roster teardown under general manager Chris Drury. The club plans to trade off some of its more popular veteran players, including star winger Artemi Panarin, and build for the future.
The Rangers had an open spot on their backend for Iorio after trading defender Carson Soucy to the New York Islanders earlier this week. Iorio is now the fourth right-handed defender the Rangers have on their active roster, joining Will Borgen, Braden Schneider, and Scott Morrow. Adam Fox normally leads that group, but he is still on long-term injured reserve.
Iorio, set to become a restricted free agent in July, could make his Rangers debut as soon as Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Rangers also have one more game this season against the Capitals, at home on April 5.
