Photo credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
Defenseman Vincent Iorio has been placed on waivers by the San Jose Sharks.
The big right-shot defenseman, standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 220 pounds, fits exactly the physical profile that could help the Canadiens.
Drafted 55th overall in 2021 by the Washington Capitals, this towering blueliner has potential that has not yet fully blossomed at the professional level.
This season in 2025–26, he has recorded 0 goals and 3 assists for 3 points in 21 games played with San Jose.
His -4 plus-minus rating and 12 penalty minutes show that he is still learning how to stabilize his defensive game in the NHL, despite his imposing frame.
If Kent Hughes decides to make a move, he could acquire a 23-year-old asset without sacrificing a single prospect or draft pick in a trade.
Kent Hughes’ rebuilding plan with the Montreal Canadiens
We know that the Canadiens’ defensemen are currently healthy under Martin St-Louis.
Iorio already has 30 games of NHL experience with a total of 4 career points, which remains a small but intriguing sample size.
However, claiming a player off waivers requires the team to keep him on the active roster, or risk losing him for free just days later.
The organization must evaluate whether the young defenseman can outperform those already in place in Laval.
The timing is notable, as several scouts once viewed him as a future top-four defenseman capable of shutting down plays with a physical presence in the defensive zone.
Hughes has proven in the past that he is not afraid to take these kinds of home-run swings to improve his club’s depth at a low cost.
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San Jose Sharks place 6-foot-4 defenseman Vincent Iorio on waivers as Canadiens monitor the situation
Should the Canadiens claim Vincent Iorio off waivers?