The San Jose Sharks have lost defenseman Vincent Iorio on the waiver wire, as the New York Rangers claimed the 23-year-old on Saturday. Iorio was originally picked up by the Sharks earlier this season after being placed on waivers by the Washington Capitals.

Iorio was waived to make room for Shakir Mukhamadullin’s return from injured reserve. For much of the season, the Sharks were able to carry nine defensemen, largely due to a rotating list of injuries that kept the roster compliant. As the team has gradually gotten healthier and its forward depth has increased, San Jose was forced into a difficult roster decision.

Sharks Lose Iorio

Iorio ultimately became the odd man out, despite his play trending upward in recent weeks. After a difficult start to the season—one that included extended stretches as a healthy scratch and a conditioning stint in the AHL—the 23-year-old began to find his footing.

He finishes his time with San Jose having recorded three points in 21 NHL games, along with six points in seven AHL appearances. While Iorio showed flashes of intrigue in his overall game, he had settled in as the Sharks’ clear eighth defenseman and was unlikely to see consistent ice time once the blue line returned to full health.

Looking ahead, Iorio’s roster spot was also projected to be filled internally. Eric Pohlkamp appears poised to enter the organization in the near future, with the 21-year-old defenseman expected to turn pro following the conclusion of his collegiate season. Pohlkamp has emerged as a compelling long-term option, producing 16 goals and 28 points in 29 games for the University of Denver.

Moving on from Iorio’s contract also gives the Sharks added flexibility to sign Pohlkamp as early as this season, potentially burning the first year of his entry-level contract as an incentive to leave college early.

In some ways, the move is unfortunate, as Iorio never truly received an extended opportunity to showcase his skill set. John Klingberg, meanwhile, has been a significant disappointment for the Sharks this season but remains on the roster for now.

San Jose may not be finished with its roster maneuvering. The club will likely need to waive another player to create space for Kiefer Sherwood, who could make his Sharks debut in the coming days.

Jeff Skinner stands out as the most likely candidate, having been a regular healthy scratch and a player who would be expected to clear waivers. Pavol Regenda is another possibility, though his recent strong play may encourage the Sharks to delay or perhaps postpone that decision.