Why Scott Morrow faces big challenge after Rangers add prep school teammate
It’s fair to say that Scott Morrow hasn’t had the smoothest transition to the New York Rangers this season. And now he’s got some new challenges ahead of him on the near horizon.
First, Adam Fox is eligible to be activated from long term injured reserve after missing most of January with a lower-body issue. Second, the Rangers claimed Vincent Iorio off waivers from the San Jose Sharks on Saturday.
Even just one of those things presents a likely obstacle for Morrow. But taken together, it appears that the rookie defenseman could be on shaky ground in New York.
Let’s start with Fox. Obviously, as soon as he returns to the lineup, perhaps as soon as Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes in the Rangers’ final game before the Olympic break, Fox slides right back into his spot on the top defense pair and as New York’s power-play quarterback. That means Braden Schneider either bumps down to his usual spot on the right side of the third pair, or could land on his off (left) side on the second pair, since the Rangers traded Carson Soucy last week to the Islanders.
Since Morrow is the right-shot d-man on the third pair right now, we know which Schneider plan he’s hoping for.
But the acquisition of Iorio no longer means Morrow is guaranteed to hold on to his third-pair role even if Schneider lands on the second pair after Fox’s return. And even if rumors prove to be true and Schneider is traded, Morrow and Iorio will compete for that a spot on the third pair.
That’d create an interesting dynamic and competition considering that they were prep school teammates at Shattuck St. Mary’s for two years from 2016-18.
Scott Morrow, Vincent Iorio could compete for same Rangers role
However, this comment from Rangers coach Mike Sullivan, when asked about Iorio on Saturday, can’t make Morrow feels so great.
“I don’t know a lot about him. I know a little bit about him. I know he’s going to bring good size. He’s a young kid. I think he could potentially help us with our puck-moving ability back there,” Sullivan said.
Remember, puck-moving ability is supposed to be Morrow’s calling card and entree to regular playing time in the NHL. But as evidenced by his crucial turnover that led directly to a goal-against in the opening minutes of New York’s latest loss in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Morrow’s had major issues getting the puck out of his own end.
Since he’s also not generated a whole heck of a lot of offense — with six assists in 28 games — and Sullivan’s lack of confidence in the rookie running the power play in Fox’s absence, it’s fair to say Morrow’s skating on thin ice. That’s even with the Rangers looking to play the kids a lot now that they’re committed to a retooling phase.
That the Rangers claimed Iorio off waivers adds to that narrative with Morrow. Each of these right-shot defensemen is 23 years old, and trying to establish himself with a new organization after being selected in the second round of the 2021 NHL Draft. Morrow was the No. 40 overall selection by the Carolina Hurricanes, and came over to the Rangers in the K’Andre Miller trade last summer. Iorio was chosen No. 55 overall by the Washington Capitals, and is on his third team after the Sharks claimed him off waivers earlier this season.
Morrow stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 210 pounds. Iorio is 6-foot-4, 220 pounds. Neither is overly physical. But each has a history of being a better than average distributor and puck mover. Morrow was an AHL All-Star last season; Iorio helped Hershey of the American Hockey League win the Calder Cup in consecutive years (2013, 2014).
Each defenseman is in the final year of his entry-level contract and can be a restricted free agent at season’s end. Relevant to the here and now, Morrow doesn’t require waivers to be sent back to the AHL, but Iorio, obviously, does.
Morrow, who struggled to begin the season down in the minors with Hartford and has 44 games of NHL experience, was — and likely still is — New York’s top defenseman prospect currently playing pro. Iorio, who has 30 games played in the NHL, could wind up being the shiny new toy on the back end, though.
“I think he defends pretty well with his size. I know our hockey operations department obviously thinks highly of him, and that’s why they claimed him,” Sullivan explained. “I look forward to seeing him in person and getting to know him and working with him. We’ll see where it goes.”
We’ll see where it goes with Iorio, and Morrow, who faces even more obstacles in his path the rest of this season.
