Report: Edmonton Oilers shopping defender Troy Stecher

It was an inevitable conclusion with the roster built as it is right now. Too many players with too few roster spots. They had been able to kick the can down the road, so to speak, for a few weeks to start the season. But as players have returned to the lineup from injury, it is leaving some on the outside looking in.

One of those players is defender Troy Stecher. In today’s 32 Thoughts article, insider Elliotte Friedman suggests that the Edmonton Oilers are looking for a better fit for the veteran.

Nothing major, but a few other locations to keep an eye on: Edmonton’s roster. The Oilers could send players to the minors and through waivers to ease the upcoming roster crunch as injured players return. But they are trying to get Troy Stecher a new opportunity

Friedman does mention that sending players to the minors is an option, but that is more likely a solution at forward where they have waiver exempt players that can be assigned to Bakersfield without risk of losing them. A player like Stecher is going to have to clear waivers. And given his career status and general pedigree as a reliable depth defender, he would likely prefer to have an NHL roster spot.

Troy Stecher’s time with Edmonton

Stecher has been with the Oilers since the 2024 Trade Deadline, when they acquired him from the Arizona Coyotes. His season was cut short right after that, unfortunately, as he dealt with an injury and subsequent infection that held him out of the playoffs.

Last season, Stecher was a reliable and consistent partner for Darnell Nurse, appearing in 66 games.

This season, however, with the additions of Jake Walman and Alec Regula, Stecher has been the odd man out. With Regula and Stecher battling Ty Emberson for the final two spots on the defence, Stecher has been on the outside looking in.

Although his trade value is low, he should still fetch a late round draft pick in return, similar to the deal that brought him to Edmonton. Any team with defensive injuries or looking for a depth piece would be interested in Stecher as a mid-season add.