Oilers may look to trade defenceman instead of losing him on waivers
Photo credit: Edmonton Oilers Raw
The Edmonton Oilers have a surplus of depth NHL players this year, which may lead to a trade before the regular season.
Defenceman Alec Regula has impressed at training camp, and earned a spot on the NHL roster. The Oilers have to create a roster space for him which will require sending out another player, although it may be delayed due to their injury situation.
Edmonton Oilers urged to consider trading Troy Stecher instead of losing him for nothing on waivers
According to insider Jason Gregor, the most likely position for the Oilers to subtract from is the defence. Frankly, it doesn't make sense for the Oilers to carry 3 bottom pair right shot defenceman.
Of the three players, Gregor believes Stecher would be the one to be cut. However, he'd surely be claimed on waivers - so maybe the Oilers can get an asset back for him in trade.
It might be a defenceman, and it's not going to be Regula. It might be Stecher, and that's my little wild card.
I wonder here if Stan Bowman is on the phone looking to make a trade rather than move a guy down and lose him for nothing.
- Jason Gregor
I wonder here if Stan Bowman is on the phone looking to make a trade rather than move a guy down and lose him for nothing.
- Jason Gregor
Troy Stecher has been a great player for the Oilers, and admirably stepped up for the team in the playoffs last year over Ty Emberson. However, the reality is that the Oilers may see more of a future with Emberson.
Stecher is signed for this season at a low contract of only $788K, while Emberson is signed for 2 years at $1.3M. There could still be a trade market for Emberson, perhaps even for more of a return than Stecher, but their contracts have impacts.
It'd be tough to see either player leave, but it'd be worse to see one leave for nothing in return on waivers. The Oilers don't have many assets to spend as a contending team, so even getting a low draft pick in return could help.
When the Oilers get closer to full health, a trade of one of these depth players will be the right move for GM Stan Bowman to make.
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