Maple Leafs Snatch Troy Stecher from Oilers in Surprising Waivers Move—What’s Next?

When the Edmonton Oilers dangled Troy Stecher on waivers, Toronto Maple Leafs scooped him up without hesitation Saturday—a move that’s got me thinking. At 31, Stecher’s skating onto a new ice for the seventh time in his NHL journey, bringing a fresh face to a defense line that’s been, well… leaky, to say the least. He featured in half a dozen games for Edmonton, last fighting off the New York Rangers in a nail-biter overtime win on October 30. Yet, these outings clocked him a career-low 13:37 average ice time per game—a stat that begs the question, what will the Leafs make of him? Carrying the baggage of a $787,500 cap hit and locked into the final stretch of a two-year deal, he’s no stranger to bouncing around—from Vancouver to Detroit, Los Angeles to Calgary, and now Toronto—three Canadian stops tucked into that mix. This acquisition coincides with goaltender Anthony Stolarz being sidelined retroactively, hinting at a shuffle behind the scenes. The Leafs have stumbled in recent weeks, snatching up just losses and allowing 69 goals—tied for the second-highest in the league. Could Stecher’s arrival be the jolt Toronto’s defense has desperately needed? Time will tell. Meanwhile, the Oilers’ roster reshuffle makes way for Zach Hyman’s return from long-term injury—pragmatic moves all around. Stecher’s experienced it all—traded multiple times, multiple signings—so settling in won’t be brand new, but it certainly adds some spice to an already tense season in Toronto. LEARN MORE

After the Edmonton Oilers placed Troy Stecher on waivers, the Toronto Maple Leafs claimed the defenseman on Saturday.

Stecher, 31, has made six appearances for the Oilers; his last game came against the New York Rangers on Oct. 30 in a 4-3 overtime victory. In those six contests, Stecher has averaged a career-low 13:37 of ice time.

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The veteran defenseman comes in with a $787,500-cap hit in the final year of a two-year contract.

Toronto will be the seventh destination of Stecher’s career, and the third Canadian team, barring any sudden trades, injuries, or being a consistent scratch on the roster.

Stecher has played 566 NHL games across 10 seasons for the Vancouver Canucks, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, Arizona Coyotes, Calgary Flames, and the Oilers.

Along with the acquisition of Stecher, the Maple Leafs placed goaltender Anthony Stolarz on injured reserve retroactive to Nov. 11.

The Maple Leafs have had issues in their own end lately. They’ve lost their last four games, three of which in regulation.

Furthermore, Toronto has allowed 69 goals this season. That equals the second-most goals conceded this season, alongside the St. Louis Blues, who they are tied for 31st in the NHL in goals allowed per game.

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The addition of Stecher could be an attempt to shake up the leaky defense in Toronto, or yet help them break the puck out more efficiently.

The Oilers let go of Stecher in a transaction that allowed Zach Hyman to be activated off long-term injured reserve. In addition, the team sent down rookie Isaac Howard to create further room on the roster for Hyman.

Stecher will be no stranger to settling in with a new organization, as he’s been traded three times in his career, as well as signing as a free agent an additional four times.

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