With the team off until Tuesday, the Sharks have made a pair of roster moves. The team announced this afternoon (Twitter link) that forward Zack Ostapchuk has been assigned to AHL San Jose. Meanwhile, blueliner Vincent Iorio has also been sent to the Barracuda on a conditioning stint.
Ostapchuk’s stint with the Sharks was short-lived as he had only been recalled on Thursday and didn’t see any action after his promotion. Acquired from Ottawa at last year’s trade deadline as part of the Fabian Zetterlund deal, the 22-year-old played somewhat regularly down the stretch, getting into 13 games. However, with the option of having limited playing time in the NHL or a bigger role in the minors, the Sharks have opted for the latter this season while he remains waiver-exempt. In nine games with the Barracuda this season, Ostapchuk has two goals and an assist.
As for Iorio, he was claimed off waivers from Washington midway through last month when the Sharks were dealing with some injuries on the back end. He played regularly for about a week and a half, getting into six games where he was held off the scoresheet while posting six blocks in 16:20 a night of playing time. However, he has been a healthy scratch in seven straight games as some of their injured rearguards have started to return. With this being a regular conditioning loan, it can last for up to two weeks.
While two players are coming off the roster, the Sharks are only gaining one roster spot with these moves. Iorio will remain on San Jose’s roster while on assignment, meaning that they still have 22 players on their active roster.