Oilers Looking To Move Troy Stecher

In today’s episode of Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet referenced Troy Stecher, that a move could be happening soon. According to Friedman, Stecher and the Oilers could be working on a resolution, as he has not been in the lineup often, and looking for a new opportunity. 

With Alec Regula activated from IR earlier today, the news is not necessarily a surprise. Rumblings about the Oilers and their logjam between the likes of Regula, Stecher, and Ty Emberson have gone on since last month. Now, Friedman’s comments indicate Edmonton has youth in their best interest, as Stecher, 31, could be moving on, currently in his third season on the team. 

Originally undrafted out of North Dakota, the British Columbia native has carved out a very respectable 566 game career to this point, despite being on the smaller side at 5’10”. While many in that mold have a more offensive game full of polarizing play, Stecher has never posted more than 24 points in a season, a career high set back as a rookie in 2016-17. His steady, dependable two-way game has been enough of a commodity that he has not appeared in a single AHL game since that rookie season nine years ago. 

Acquired in 2024 by Edmonton from Arizona, in exchange for just a fourth-round pick, Stecher played in 66 games last season, but now the club has favored more size along with youth, in the form of Regula. A pending free agent with a cap hit of just $787k, the Stecher market could be interesting. It is hard to imagine that rebuilding teams, where he could be a viable top-six defender, would have much interest in the veteran. He is a more bona-fide seventh-defender at this point, a role similar blueliners north of 30 his mold could envy, being on a team such as the Oilers. Perhaps the Red Wings could be interested in a reunion, with their promising start despite a thin backend. An injury-ridden team such as the Devils or Canucks, who Stecher began his career with, could also have interest. His sub-$1MM cap hit is certainly an asset. 

Regardless, GM Stan Bowman has a decision to make, and hopefully the respected veteran finds a more preferable role soon, whether with Edmonton, or elsewhere.