Iorio’s 2025-26 campaign became a study in organizational indifference, moved from Washington to San Jose to New York via waivers before landing in the Rangers system. Three points in 27 NHL appearances split between the Sharks and the Blueshirts tells the story. The tools remain functional – a 6-4 frame, solid defensive structure, and enough positioning awareness to earn coaching trust – but the skating limitations that have followed him throughout his career prevent him from operating effectively at NHL pace, especially in transition. The Rangers have built out their defensive depth considerably this offseason, and competition for minutes in Hartford will be fierce with better options available at every turn. A reliable AHL defender who is unlikely to earn sustained NHL time in a competitive organization.

The San Jose Sharks added another young defenseman to their organization on October 16, 2025, after claiming 22-year-old Vincent Iorio off waivers from the Washington Capitals.

A mobile right-shot defenseman who plays well defensively with size is an intriguing addition for San Jose. Iorio should get an opportunity to build off his nine NHL games played while with the Capitals organization, starting as a second or third-pairing defenseman with the Sharks.

There is no need to rush to the waiver wire in your fantasy hockey league to stash Iorio, as he is limited offensively and projected as a solid two-way defenseman providing real-life value in the NHL over fantasy. That said, if you are in a deep dynasty league, add him to your watch list and follow him in San Jose and see how he is deployed with the Sharks. If his game develops, he could become an injury replacement option in a salary cap league due to his low salary and could provide minimal value in peripheral stats.

Again, Iorio was his usual solid self. He had his usual ~0.3 points per game and 1.3ish shots per game. Iorio was not counted on for scoring as much as he has been in the past, but he still played in a top-four role. The Bears were not as good defensively as they have been in previous years, but going from plus 26 to minus four is not an indication that Iorio has just forgotten to play defense. He did not get into any NHL games as the Capitals had eight defensemen on the roster a majority of the time, and there were not enough injuries to get him called up. With one year remaining on his ELC, Iorio will likely be up and down all season, depending on what Washington does in the off-season. However, he can be claimed on waivers, so he may get lost to Washington for free, so that may leave him in the seventh defenseman role or traded. Either way, he is likely a solid two-way bottom-four NHL defenseman.