Vincent Iorio may be headed back to Hershey.
Wednesday, the Washington Capitals put the 22-year-old defenseman on waivers. The move comes after Iorio made the team’s Opening Night roster for the first time in his career and was a healthy scratch in their first four games.
The other 31 teams in the NHL will have 24 hours to claim the rearguard. If he’s not, the Caps can freely send Iorio back to the AHL.
The Iorio transaction suggests that Dylan McIlrath is close to full health after suffering a lower-body injury during the Capitals’ final preseason game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on October 4.
“(He’s) status quo, getting better,” head coach Spencer Carbery said of McIlrath on Wednesday. “I would anticipate this week, at some point, him being back to 100% ready to fully practice and play.”
McIlrath’s removal from injured reserve would necessitate that the Capitals remove one player from the 23-man active roster, which, in this case, appears to be Iorio. McIlrath would join Declan Chisholm as the team’s seventh and eighth defensemen on the roster.
Iorio, the Capitals’ top pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, has played three seasons professionally, predominantly with the Hershey Bears, where he won back-to-back Calder Cup championships in 2023 and 2024. Iorio has suited up in 9 games total for the Caps.
“Honestly, I just try to focus on what I do to prepare every day,” Iorio said of potentially being put on waivers during training camp. “I take things day by day and just continue to do what I’ve been doing since I’ve turned pro. I’ve learned a lot of things from a lot of guys, and my parents have taught me to approach things day by day and really be grateful for every opportunity you have. That’s just what I’m going to continue to do.”
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