Scott Morrow’s Path Just Got Trickier: Rangers’ Blue Line Shuffle Adds Pressure on Rookie Defenseman
Scott Morrow’s rookie season with the New York Rangers hasn’t exactly been a smooth ride-and now, the road ahead just got even bumpier. With Adam Fox nearing a return from long-term injured reserve and the team adding Vincent Iorio off waivers, Morrow finds himself squarely in the middle of a blue line logjam.
Let’s start with the obvious: when Fox is ready to go-potentially as soon as Thursday’s game against the Hurricanes-the Rangers’ top defense pair gets an instant upgrade. Fox steps back into his usual role as the team’s power-play quarterback and right-side anchor.
That move alone has a ripple effect. Braden Schneider, who’s been filling in higher up the lineup, likely shifts back to his more familiar spot on the third pair-or possibly takes over the left side on the second pair, especially after the recent Carson Soucy trade to the Islanders.
Either way, Morrow’s current third-pair role is in jeopardy.
And that’s before you factor in Iorio.
The 23-year-old defenseman, claimed off waivers from the Sharks, brings size (6-foot-4, 220 pounds) and a puck-moving pedigree that overlaps directly with what Morrow is supposed to offer. Both are right-handed shots.
Both were second-round picks in the 2021 NHL Draft-Morrow at No. 40 by Carolina, Iorio at No. 55 by Washington. And both are trying to carve out a permanent role in the NHL with a new organization.
It’s a clean competition now. And it’s personal history, too-Morrow and Iorio were teammates at Shattuck-St. Mary’s from 2016 to 2018, so this isn’t the first time they’ve shared a locker room.
But this time, there’s only room for one of them on the Rangers’ right side-at least for now.
Morrow’s Margin for Error Shrinks
Morrow came to New York as the top defense prospect playing pro in the organization, part of the return in the K’Andre Miller trade last summer. He’s got the tools-good size at 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, and a reputation as a strong puck mover.
He was even an AHL All-Star last season. But so far, the transition to the NHL hasn’t gone as planned.
His calling card-moving the puck cleanly out of the zone-hasn’t consistently shown up. A costly turnover in the opening minutes of the Rangers’ recent loss in Pittsburgh turned into a goal against, and moments like that have become too frequent to ignore.
Morrow has six assists in 28 games, but the offensive spark that was expected hasn’t materialized. And with Fox out, head coach Mike Sullivan hasn’t shown much trust in the rookie to run the power play.
That’s a tough combo: defensive lapses and limited offensive output.
And now, he’s got a new competitor in town.
Iorio’s Arrival Changes the Equation
When Sullivan was asked about Iorio after the claim, his comments were telling.
“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.”
That last part-puck-moving ability-is exactly what Morrow was supposed to bring to the table. If the Rangers are looking to upgrade in that department, Iorio’s addition sends a clear message: the team is still searching for someone to reliably fill that role on the third pair.
Iorio isn’t a lock either-he’s on his third organization this season after being waived by both the Capitals and Sharks. But he’s got playoff experience in the AHL, helping Hershey win back-to-back Calder Cups in 2023 and 2024. And unlike Morrow, he’d have to clear waivers to be sent down again, which gives him a bit of an edge when it comes to roster management.
Both players are in the final year of their entry-level contracts and set to become restricted free agents this summer. So this isn’t just about who gets the job now-it’s about who earns a future with the franchise.
What’s Next?
The Rangers are in the middle of a retooling phase, which means young players are going to get opportunities. But those chances aren’t handed out-they’re earned. And with Fox returning, Schneider shifting, and Iorio arriving, Morrow’s leash just got shorter.
He doesn’t require waivers to be sent back to Hartford, which makes him the easiest piece to move if the Rangers want to make room. But if he can clean up the decision-making, tighten up in his own end, and show more of the offensive upside that made him a top prospect, he can still stake his claim.
The talent is there. But the competition is real-and it’s heating up.