Why didn't the Oilers trade Troy Stecher instead of losing him on waivers?
Former Oilers defenceman Troy Stecher is off to an incredible start with the Maple Leafs, which has left fans across the NHL wondering why Edmonton didn't trade him.
The 31 year old defenceman is on an affordable contract of only $787.5K, and has built an impressive career of 576 games including playoff experience. On paper it looks like the Oilers should've been able to get something back for Stecher.
Edmonton Oilers tried to trade Stecher, but NHL teams waited them out
In his first 11 games with the Leafs, Stecher has registered 4 points and has been a force at all situations. He's been playing his best hockey, and has been essentially elevated to the Leafs' top defensive pair as they deal with injuries.
With Stecher's success, fans across the NHL are wondering why the Oilers didn't trade him to get an asset back. It wasn't from lack of trying.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman did report that the Oilers were looking to trade Stecher earlier this season. They didn't find any takers, but it likely wasn't because no one believed in Stecher.
I think the Oilers have considered a bunch of things, but [Stecher] is definitely one of the people who is being considered. I've heard there is some interest, and I think the Oilers are trying to find him a soft landing.
- Elliotte Friedman
- Elliotte Friedman
The Oilers backed themselves into a corner by beginning the season with 8 defenceman on their roster. Alec Regula and Ty Emberson are younger players who deserved to stay in the lineup, and every other NHL team saw the same thing.
That made it an inevitability that Stecher would be waived. Other NHL teams were just waiting for the chance to get him for free on waivers instead of paying up.
The Oilers could've traded one of Emberson or Regula to keep Stecher as their 7th defenceman, but losing one of the younger players for cheap seasons on their contracts didn't make sense either.
Bowman should've seen the inevitability coming, and found a way to get a pick back for Stecher. Instead, the whole NHL knew he was going to hit waivers.
But at the end of the day, it's a fact of deep rosters that some bodies will be lost in the shuffle and claimed by other teams waiting in the weeds.
Stecher was a great player in Edmonton who always gave his all when called upon - Oilers fans are just happy to see him succeeding with a new opportunity.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 11 | 1109 ANSWERS Why didn't the Oilers trade Troy Stecher instead of losing him on waivers? Do you think the Oilers should've traded any other defenceman instead of waiving Stecher? | ||
| Yes | 782 | 70.5 % |
| No | 327 | 29.5 % |
| List of polls | ||