Edmonton Oilers linked to Carolina Hurricanes in trade for veteran defender
Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas - USA TODAY Sports
The Carolina Hurricanes are looking for a defenseman to plug into its lineup, and the Oilers may just have the perfect solution in Troy Stecher.
Frank Seravalli spoke about Carolina's dilemma on Frankly Hockey, noting they are targeting inexpensive options that can step in immediately.
«Sources indicate that the Carolina Hurricanes are active on the trade front. They want to acquire a stopgap defenseman - someone they can plug into their lineup now that's not going to cost them an arm and a leg. A warm body that can give them some NHL minutes.»
Stecher has dressed in only 6 of Edmonton's 13 games this season, used primarily as a depth-defenseman and healthy scratch, and is affordable, given he's in year two of a two-year deal at a cap hit $787K.
The Oilers already have too defensemen when everyone is healthy, which will grow once Alec Regula is activated from the IR. Demoting someone is possible, but that would risk losing the player on waivers.
A trade for the Oilers makes a lot more sense, as it would ensure they receive assets in return for Stecher, instead of losing him for nothing on waivers, which he'd be required to clear if demoted to the AHL.
Stecher is likely to be the odd man out once the team is healthy. He is, however, a solid, experienced depth defenseman with good puck-moving ability and a strong work ethic,. He plays a physical game in the corners, which Carolina could use while waiting for their injured players to return.
Edmonton has been toiling with roster inconsistencies all season, whether on defense or offense; it would be prudent for Stan Bowman to make moves to tighten-up the roster moving forward, for stability and continuity in the lineup.
TRENDING NOW
