Defenseman Vincent Iorio will draw back into the San Jose Sharks lineup on Wednesday against the Washington Capitals.

Iorio, who was claimed off waivers from the Capitals, last played against the Vancouver Canucks on Nov. 28. The Sharks defenseman is still considered a rookie in the NHL and is just 23 years old.

“‘I’m looking forward to it. I spent a couple of really, really good years there in Hershey and in Washington. [There will be] a lot of mixed emotions for sure,” Iorio told SHD exclusively on Tuesday. “It was a really quick change, everything that’s happened the past month and a half, but the team here has been on a roll. It’s going to be a really good game.”

The San Jose Sharks have had a logjam on the backend, often carrying nine defensemen on the roster at one time. Because of that, Iorio hasn’t had the easiest time getting into the lineup regularly.

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Wednesday’s appearance will be just his eighth game this season. He was scratched for more than five games in a row at one point, allowing him to go down to the San Jose Barracuda on a conditioning loan.

“Just to continue to do what I’ve been doing. Continue to work hard,” Iorio said.
“I know as a younger guy in the league, you have to put in those extra reps. Like it’s just nature. For me, I like to pride myself on hard work.”

Iorio hasn’t once complained about his situation, and San Jose Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky still has confidence in the d-man. After all, there is a reason the Sharks claimed him. They view him as a player who can be developed into a regular producer.

“I think he’s done a really good job of playing towards his strengths as far as being a puck-moving defenseman and moving pucks,” Warsofsky said. “As a young defenseman, it takes a little bit of time to learn how to defend at this level, and that’s something we’ve really stressed to him.

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[He] did a good job down with the Barracuda when he was there. With these young guys, you really don’t want them sitting out for too long a time.”

Iorio on facing Ovechkin’s iconic one-timer

Wednesday could mark the last time Capitals legend Alex Ovechkin visits the San Jose Sharks. The 40-year-old got off to a slow start this season, but has been hot as of late.

Ovechkin has 11 points (5 goals, 6 assists) in his last seven games. For the season, Ovi has 12 goals in 27 games, and surprisingly, only one has come on the power play.

Regardless of the lack of PPGs, Ovechkin’s one-timer remains a threat. Iorio will likely take Vincent Desharnais‘ spot on the penalty kill. One of his main tasks is going to be disrupting Ovechkin from his office.

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“He’s the greatest goal scorer of all time. There’s been a lot of defensemen on the right side that haven’t been able to block his shots,” Iorio said. “I mean, there’s a reason why he’s the greatest goal scorer of all time. I’m really happy to have been a part of that and watch him play and shoot the puck.”

Iorio will be paired with Sam Dickinson on the Sharks’ third pair on Wednesday. Iorio applauded the culture that not only Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery has built, but also the one Warsofsky has built.

Warsofky and Carbery are close friends, and Iorio told SHD he sees many similarities between the environments that each coach has built.

“First and foremost, himself as a person, as a human being, he’s such an amazing human being,” Iorio said of Carbery. “He cares so deeply about everyone. Family culture there is massive, and he’s a really big part of that.

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A lot of the qualities that Warsofsky has, Carbery also has. That also speaks to the culture we have here, with how family-oriented we are.”

Puck drop is at 7 p.m. Check out the latest lineup projections on SHD’s Line Combination page.

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