Carbery Explains Capitals' Decision To Waive Iorio, Says Losing Him On Waivers Is 'Bittersweet'

Washington Capitals coach Spencer Carbery shared his thoughts on Vincent Iorio and him being claimed off waivers on Thursday.

ARLINGTON, V.A. — As he watched Vincent Iorio get claimed off waivers on Thursday, Washington Capitals coach Spencer Carbery felt some mixed emotions.

While this meant he’d finally get an opportunity to be a full-time NHLer, it also meant that the organization lost one of its top defensive prospects on the right side.

“I would say it’s bittersweet. I’m happy for Vinny, he’s getting an opportunity to play in San Jose for a great coach who I know very well, and a chance to play in the National Hockey League right now,” Carbery said. “It’s bitter in the sense of he’s been a good player in our organization and has done a lot of things in Hershey and is right there. He’s still a young player and still has time to develop.”

It wasn’t an easy decision for Washington, who knew that Iorio, a 6-foot-4 right-hand shot who’s only 22, would likely get picked up; his lack of playing time at the highest level has been primarily due to a lack of vacancies on the backend.

However, the Capitals have seven defensemen on their roster who each have at least 100 NHL games under their belt, and 33-year-old Dylan McIlrath is accustomed to that role as an extra defenseman. Iorio, on the other hand, needs to be playing at this point.

“(This played) into the Vinny decision… it’s it’s my job to keep(all the defensemen) involved, but it’s important to be mindful of that and making sure that guys are getting game reps,” Carbery said, adding, “It’s just unfortunate with our circumstances and the way that our roster works out right now, we had to make a really, really difficult decision.”

Iorio, who had been in the organization since 2021, is coming off a strong offseason and training camp where he put on 20 pounds of muscle and showcased his physicality, mobility and awareness at both ends of the ice. He showed that he’s ready to take that next step, and now, gets that break in San Jose.

All the while, the Capitals will be watching.

“He’s such a great person, first and foremost, has worked his but off over the last few years, won multiple Calder Cups, been a big part of Hershey’s team and he’s put a lot of work in to earn this opportunity to play in the NHL,” Carbery said. “Wish him nothing but the best, and we’ll see him along the way.”