Low Risk, Possible Reward: Breaking Down the Rangers’ Claim of the 23-Year-Old Defenseman

As the New York Rangers continue to work on trades following Chris Drury’s letter, a new defenseman has arrived in New York. The Blueshirts have claimed right-handed defenseman Vincent Iorio off waivers from the San Jose Sharks. A big move for the Blueshirts as the 23-year-old defenseman has yet to find his groove in the NHL. As someone who had some success in the AHL with the Hershey Bears, it’s interesting to see what he can do as a bottom-six defenseman on the retooling Rangers. With the Rangers transitioning to a fresh start for next season, it makes sense to take a gamble like this. Iorio comes in with plenty of AHL success, but is still searching for that confidence in the NHL. What’s there to make of this?

Drafted 55th overall in the second round, Iorio began his journey in the WHL before his success in the AHL. His time with the Washington Capitals was mainly spent developing with the Hershey Bears, during which he played 190 games. Since the start of this season, he’s moved quite a bit as he was waived in October and picked up by San Jose. As of today, he comes to the Rangers with 30 games of NHL experience, 21 of which were played with the Sharks. In those NHL games, he’s earned just three assists, but his AHL stats tell a different story. In six games played with the San Jose Barracuda, he earned himself seven assists, a point-per-game player who could fit nicely with a retooling team like the Rangers. If he can somehow find his groove in the NHL, he may become quite effective as a bottom-six defenseman. While the move may prove effective, is he to remain with the Rangers in the NHL?

While any NHL experience is valuable, no matter the outcome, his time in the AHL may be crucial. Sometimes, prospects shine in the NHL when given the opportunity, but sometimes, more time in the AHL is best for them. From what he’s shown during his time down there, perhaps it wouldn’t be terrible to let him spend most of his time in Hartford. At times, pick-ups like this tend to happen before teams begin unloading, meaning perhaps a certain New York defenseman’s time is almost up. Whether it’s for the NHL or the AHL, a gamble like this surely wouldn’t hurt. In this frustrating stage for the New York Rangers, moves like this are to be expected, gambles like this are almost always worth the risk, and when it comes to the long-term goal, it may just be what they need.