Sharks waive 6-foot-4 defenseman Vincent Iorio
Photo credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
San Jose just made a gamble by placing Vincent Iorio on waivers today.
The news at 2:00 today has now hit Sharks Territory as the team continues its delicate balancing act.
Seeing a 23-year-old defenseman with this kind of physical profile hit the wire is rare.
At 6'4'' and 220 pounds, the Coquitlam native brings a heavy game that many contenders crave.
He is a mountain on the blue line who still has plenty of room to grow.
The hockey world reacted instantly when Elliotte Friedman dropped the bombshell on social media.
It is a tough pill to swallow for fans who were excited about his development.
Iorio has been fighting for steady minutes all season.
He appeared in 21 games for San Jose this year, recording three assists while averaging 16:30 of ice time.
While he has not found the back of the net yet, his underlying physicality remains his calling card.
The young defender also racked up 12 penalty minutes while playing a gritty, defensive-minded style.
The defensive landscape is shifting in San Jose
At a cap hit of just $814,167, he is a steal for any team looking to bolster their depth.
Losing a player with his pedigree for absolutely nothing is a risky maneuver for the front office.
He has already shown flashes of brilliance during his time with the San Jose Barracuda earlier this year.
Down in the AHL, he posted seven points in just six games, proving his offensive instincts are real.
Perhaps the Sharks believe he will clear, but a right-handed shot with his size is a hot commodity.
Teams in the playoff hunt are always searching for 'heavy' players who can eat minutes in the corners.
San Jose is focused on the future, but letting young assets walk away is a dangerous game.
The next 24 hours will determine if another franchise gets a gift from the Bay Area.
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