<p>Yesterday, <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2024/03/07/edmonton-oilers-acquire-defenceman-troy-stecher-from-coyotes/">the Oilers made a smaller move by acquiring Troy Stecher</a> from the Arizona Coyotes for a fourth-round pick in 2027. This trade, which I consider a steal, has the potential to greatly strengthen the Oilers&#8217; depth on defence, and that made me want to figure out what kind of player Stecher is and what he&#8217;ll be bringing to Edmonton.</p>
<p>If you Google Stecher&#8217;s name to read what&#8217;s been written about him over the years, you see that he&#8217;s a skilled two-way defenceman with a playmaker’s knack for the game. Stecher is known to be responsible defensively but is not comfortable having the puck in his own end for too long and will take it upon himself to get the puck out of the defensive zone. All of that sounds good when you read it, but I wanted to talk to someone who has actually watched him play.</p>
<p>That&#8217;s when I realized that Stecher had a significant stint in Vancouver, playing 286 games with the Canucks over parts of four seasons. And since we&#8217;ve got <a href="http://www.canucksarmy.com">Canucksarmy.com</a> just sitting there, I reached out to their managing editor, David Quadrelli, to find out what kind of defender the Oilers just acquired and how he might fit into their lineup.</p>
<p><strong>Baggedmilk: The Oilers need defencemen who can move the puck up the ice but can also hold it down in their own end. What does Stecher do well on defence?</strong></p>
<p>David Quadrelli: Stecher moves the puck exceptionally well. He&#8217;s a solid skater, has a high hockey IQ, and his work rate is noticeable right away. He doesn&#8217;t back down from anybody or any challenge in the corner or along the walls. He&#8217;s adept at breaking opposing forechecks and, in Vancouver, was more than capable of holding down a top-four role. He is awesome depth for Edmonton.</p>
<p><strong>BM: That sounds pretty good to me, but what about his weaknesses? Why was he basically a free pickup?</strong></p>
<p>Quads: The one &#8220;weakness&#8221; for Stecher is probably his in-zone defending. He&#8217;s positionally sound and everything that you&#8217;d want from a third pairing guy, but simply due to being a bit of a smaller guy, he can sometimes lose net-front battles.</p>
<p><strong>BM: If you&#8217;re Kris Knoblauch and Paul Coffey, how would you use him in the lineup?</strong></p>
<p>Quads: I think you give him a look down the stretch and see. I could very possibly see him outplaying Desharnais or Ceci and taking one of those guys&#8217; spots in the lineup. He&#8217;s capable of playing with almost anyone, and like I said, there is legit top four capability there.</p>
<p><strong>BM: Is Stecher only a depth piece or is he better than some Oilers fans may think?</strong></p>
<p>Quads: For now, he&#8217;s a depth piece. I&#8217;d be silly to come out and see he&#8217;s unequivocally better than Ceci or Desharnais, but that&#8217;s the good thing about depth &#8212; Stecher&#8217;s arrival is going to create some serious internal competition on the Oilers&#8217; blue line and as I said, could certainly challenge for an everyday spot.</p>
<h2><strong>WHAT ELSE SHOULD WE KNOW?</strong></h2>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Reaction to the Troy Stecher acquisition" width="1424" height="801" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EMOW0O6O2Fk?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>Stecher, from Richmond, B.C., spent the first four seasons of his NHL career with his hometown Vancouver Canucks, and helped them reach the Stanley Cup Bubble Playoffs in 2020 while appearing in 17 postseason contests with the team that year.</p>
<p>When their run was done, the Canucks opted not to re-sign Stecher and that&#8217;s when he signed a two-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings as an unrestricted free agent. He spent parts of the two seasons with the Red Wings before Steve Yzerman flipped him to the Los Angeles Kings at the 2022 trade deadline where he played in 13 regular season games and four more in the playoffs.</p>
<p>Stecher split the 2022–23 season between the Arizona Coyotes and Calgary Flames before returning to the desert on another one-year deal. Unless he signs an extension with the Oilers prior to July 1st, Stecher would be eligible to sign back with the Coyotes as a free agent for the third consecutive offseason. He’s signed his last two contracts with the Coyotes and has now been moved by the team at back-to-back trade deadlines.</p>
<p>Through 487 career games over parts of eight NHL seasons split between the Canucks, Red Wings, Kings, Coyotes, and Flames, Troy Stecher has amassed 19 goals and 108 points to go along with 217 PIMs while averaging 17:58 in TOI. Stecher added four goals and seven points in 21 playoff contests between the Canucks and Kings.</p>
<p>The 29-year-old RHD has appeared in 47 games with the Coyotes this season, scoring one goal and adding four assists. Stecher is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer and <a href="https://www.capfriendly.com/players/troy-stecher">carries a $1.1 million cap hit</a> for 2023-24.</p>
<h2><strong>STECHER&#8217;S CAREER SO FAR</strong></h2>
<table id="139295" class="sortable autostripe st reg">
<thead>
<tr class="c_sort_head">
<th class="l">Season</th>
<th class="l">Team</th>
<th class="l">League</th>
<th>GP</th>
<th class="hidemob">G</th>
<th class="hidemob">A</th>
<th class="hidemob">Pts</th>
<th class="hidemob">PIM</th>
<th class="hidemob">+/-</th>
<th class="hidemob">PGP</th>
<th class="hidemob">G</th>
<th class="hidemob">A</th>
<th class="hidemob">Pts</th>
<th class="hidemob">PIM</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="MAJOR-1 odd">
<td class="pds l">2016-17</td>
<td class="pdt l hhw ">Vancouver Canucks</td>
<td class="pdl l">NHL</td>
<td class="pdgp">71</td>
<td class="hidemob">3</td>
<td class="hidemob">21</td>
<td class="hidemob">24</td>
<td class="hidemob">25</td>
<td class="hidemob">-16</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
</tr>
<tr class="MAJOR-1">
<td class="pds l">2017-18</td>
<td class="pdt l hhw ">Vancouver Canucks</td>
<td class="pdl l">NHL</td>
<td class="pdgp">68</td>
<td class="hidemob">1</td>
<td class="hidemob">10</td>
<td class="hidemob">11</td>
<td class="hidemob">35</td>
<td class="hidemob">-7</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
</tr>
<tr class="MAJOR-1 odd">
<td class="pds l">2018-19</td>
<td class="pdt l hhw ">Vancouver Canucks</td>
<td class="pdl l">NHL</td>
<td class="pdgp">78</td>
<td class="hidemob">2</td>
<td class="hidemob">21</td>
<td class="hidemob">23</td>
<td class="hidemob">32</td>
<td class="hidemob">9</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
</tr>
<tr class="MAJOR-1">
<td class="pds l">2019-20</td>
<td class="pdt l hhw ">Vancouver Canucks</td>
<td class="pdl l">NHL</td>
<td class="pdgp">69</td>
<td class="hidemob">5</td>
<td class="hidemob">12</td>
<td class="hidemob">17</td>
<td class="hidemob">32</td>
<td class="hidemob">10</td>
<td class="hidemob">17</td>
<td class="hidemob">2</td>
<td class="hidemob">1</td>
<td class="hidemob">3</td>
<td class="hidemob">10</td>
</tr>
<tr class="MAJOR-1 odd">
<td class="pds l">2020-21</td>
<td class="pdt l hhw ">Detroit Red Wings</td>
<td class="pdl l">NHL</td>
<td class="pdgp">44</td>
<td class="hidemob">3</td>
<td class="hidemob">8</td>
<td class="hidemob">11</td>
<td class="hidemob">12</td>
<td class="hidemob">-13</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
</tr>
<tr class="MAJOR-1">
<td class="pds l">2021-22</td>
<td class="pdt l hhw ">Detroit Red Wings</td>
<td class="pdl l">NHL</td>
<td class="pdgp">16</td>
<td class="hidemob">1</td>
<td class="hidemob">1</td>
<td class="hidemob">2</td>
<td class="hidemob">9</td>
<td class="hidemob">-6</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
</tr>
<tr class="MAJOR-1 odd">
<td class="pds l">2021-22</td>
<td class="pdt l hhw ">Los Angeles Kings</td>
<td class="pdl l">NHL</td>
<td class="pdgp">13</td>
<td class="hidemob">0</td>
<td class="hidemob">1</td>
<td class="hidemob">1</td>
<td class="hidemob">4</td>
<td class="hidemob">-1</td>
<td class="hidemob">4</td>
<td class="hidemob">2</td>
<td class="hidemob">2</td>
<td class="hidemob">4</td>
<td class="hidemob">0</td>
</tr>
<tr class="MAJOR-1">
<td class="pds l">2022-23</td>
<td class="pdt l hhw ">Arizona Coyotes</td>
<td class="pdl l">NHL</td>
<td class="pdgp">61</td>
<td class="hidemob">0</td>
<td class="hidemob">7</td>
<td class="hidemob">7</td>
<td class="hidemob">29</td>
<td class="hidemob">-3</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
</tr>
<tr class="MAJOR-1 odd">
<td class="pds l">2022-23</td>
<td class="pdt l hhw ">Calgary Flames</td>
<td class="pdl l">NHL</td>
<td class="pdgp">20</td>
<td class="hidemob">3</td>
<td class="hidemob">4</td>
<td class="hidemob">7</td>
<td class="hidemob">15</td>
<td class="hidemob">-3</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
<td class="hidemob">&#8212;</td>
</tr>
<tr class="MAJOR-1">
<td class="pds l">2023-24</td>
<td class="pdt l hhw ">Arizona Coyotes</td>
<td class="pdl l">NHL</td>
<td class="pdgp">47</td>
<td class="hidemob">1</td>
<td class="hidemob">4</td>
<td class="hidemob">5</td>
<td class="hidemob">24</td>
<td class="hidemob">5</td>
<td class="hidemob"></td>
<td class="hidemob"></td>
<td class="hidemob"></td>
<td class="hidemob"></td>
<td class="hidemob"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="MAJOR-1 odd">
<td class="pds l">2023-24</td>
<td class="pdt l hhw ">Edmonton Oilers</td>
<td class="pdl l">NHL</td>
<td class="c hidemob" colspan="6">Statistics Unavailable</td>
<td class="hidemob"></td>
<td class="hidemob"></td>
<td class="hidemob"></td>
<td class="hidemob"></td>
<td class="hidemob"></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
<tfoot>
<tr class="c_sec_foot">
<td class=""></td>
<td class="l"><strong>NHL Totals</strong></td>
<td class=""></td>
<td class=""><strong>487</strong></td>
<td class="hidemob"><strong>19</strong></td>
<td class="hidemob"><strong>89</strong></td>
<td class="hidemob"><strong>108</strong></td>
<td class="hidemob"><strong>217</strong></td>
<td class="hidemob"></td>
<td class="hidemob"><strong>21</strong></td>
<td class="hidemob"><strong>4</strong></td>
<td class="hidemob"><strong>3</strong></td>
<td class="hidemob"><strong>7</strong></td>
<td class="hidemob"><strong>10</strong></td>
</tr>
</tfoot>
</table>
<p>&nbsp;</p>


Yesterday, <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2024/03/07/edmonton-oilers-acquire-defenceman-troy-stecher-from-coyotes/">the Oilers made a smaller move by acquiring Troy Stecher</a> from the Arizona Coyotes for a fourth-round pick in 2027. This trade, which I consider a steal, has the potential to greatly strengthen the Oilers' depth on defence, and that made me want to figure out what kind of player Stecher is and what he'll be bringing to Edmonton.

If you Google Stecher's name to read what's been written about him over the years, you see that he's a skilled two-way defenceman with a playmaker’s knack for the game. Stecher is known to be responsible defensively but is not comfortable having the puck in his own end for too long and will take it upon himself to get the puck out of the defensive zone. All of that sounds good when you read it, but I wanted to talk to someone who has actually watched him play.

That's when I realized that Stecher had a significant stint in Vancouver, playing 286 games with the Canucks over parts of four seasons. And since we've got <a href="http://www.canucksarmy.com">Canucksarmy.com</a> just sitting there, I reached out to their managing editor, David Quadrelli, to find out what kind of defender the Oilers just acquired and how he might fit into their lineup.

<strong>Baggedmilk: The Oilers need defencemen who can move the puck up the ice but can also hold it down in their own end. What does Stecher do well on defence?</strong>

David Quadrelli: Stecher moves the puck exceptionally well. He's a solid skater, has a high hockey IQ, and his work rate is noticeable right away. He doesn't back down from anybody or any challenge in the corner or along the walls. He's adept at breaking opposing forechecks and, in Vancouver, was more than capable of holding down a top-four role. He is awesome depth for Edmonton.

<strong>BM: That sounds pretty good to me, but what about his weaknesses? Why was he basically a free pickup?</strong>

Quads: The one "weakness" for Stecher is probably his in-zone defending. He's positionally sound and everything that you'd want from a third pairing guy, but simply due to being a bit of a smaller guy, he can sometimes lose net-front battles.

<strong>BM: If you're Kris Knoblauch and Paul Coffey, how would you use him in the lineup?</strong>

Quads: I think you give him a look down the stretch and see. I could very possibly see him outplaying Desharnais or Ceci and taking one of those guys' spots in the lineup. He's capable of playing with almost anyone, and like I said, there is legit top four capability there.

<strong>BM: Is Stecher only a depth piece or is he better than some Oilers fans may think?</strong>

Quads: For now, he's a depth piece. I'd be silly to come out and see he's unequivocally better than Ceci or Desharnais, but that's the good thing about depth -- Stecher's arrival is going to create some serious internal competition on the Oilers' blue line and as I said, could certainly challenge for an everyday spot.
<h2><strong>WHAT ELSE SHOULD WE KNOW?</strong></h2>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMOW0O6O2Fk

Stecher, from Richmond, B.C., spent the first four seasons of his NHL career with his hometown Vancouver Canucks, and helped them reach the Stanley Cup Bubble Playoffs in 2020 while appearing in 17 postseason contests with the team that year.

When their run was done, the Canucks opted not to re-sign Stecher and that's when he signed a two-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings as an unrestricted free agent. He spent parts of the two seasons with the Red Wings before Steve Yzerman flipped him to the Los Angeles Kings at the 2022 trade deadline where he played in 13 regular season games and four more in the playoffs.

Stecher split the 2022–23 season between the Arizona Coyotes and Calgary Flames before returning to the desert on another one-year deal. Unless he signs an extension with the Oilers prior to July 1st, Stecher would be eligible to sign back with the Coyotes as a free agent for the third consecutive offseason. He’s signed his last two contracts with the Coyotes and has now been moved by the team at back-to-back trade deadlines.

Through 487 career games over parts of eight NHL seasons split between the Canucks, Red Wings, Kings, Coyotes, and Flames, Troy Stecher has amassed 19 goals and 108 points to go along with 217 PIMs while averaging 17:58 in TOI. Stecher added four goals and seven points in 21 playoff contests between the Canucks and Kings.

The 29-year-old RHD has appeared in 47 games with the Coyotes this season, scoring one goal and adding four assists. Stecher is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer and <a href="https://www.capfriendly.com/players/troy-stecher">carries a $1.1 million cap hit</a> for 2023-24.
<h2><strong>STECHER'S CAREER SO FAR</strong></h2>
<table id="139295" class="sortable autostripe st reg">
<thead>
<tr class="c_sort_head">
<th class="l">Season</th>
<th class="l">Team</th>
<th class="l">League</th>
<th>GP</th>
<th class="hidemob">G</th>
<th class="hidemob">A</th>
<th class="hidemob">Pts</th>
<th class="hidemob">PIM</th>
<th class="hidemob">+/-</th>
<th class="hidemob">PGP</th>
<th class="hidemob">G</th>
<th class="hidemob">A</th>
<th class="hidemob">Pts</th>
<th class="hidemob">PIM</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="MAJOR-1 odd">
<td class="pds l">2016-17</td>
<td class="pdt l hhw ">Vancouver Canucks</td>
<td class="pdl l">NHL</td>
<td class="pdgp">71</td>
<td class="hidemob">3</td>
<td class="hidemob">21</td>
<td class="hidemob">24</td>
<td class="hidemob">25</td>
<td class="hidemob">-16</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
</tr>
<tr class="MAJOR-1">
<td class="pds l">2017-18</td>
<td class="pdt l hhw ">Vancouver Canucks</td>
<td class="pdl l">NHL</td>
<td class="pdgp">68</td>
<td class="hidemob">1</td>
<td class="hidemob">10</td>
<td class="hidemob">11</td>
<td class="hidemob">35</td>
<td class="hidemob">-7</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
</tr>
<tr class="MAJOR-1 odd">
<td class="pds l">2018-19</td>
<td class="pdt l hhw ">Vancouver Canucks</td>
<td class="pdl l">NHL</td>
<td class="pdgp">78</td>
<td class="hidemob">2</td>
<td class="hidemob">21</td>
<td class="hidemob">23</td>
<td class="hidemob">32</td>
<td class="hidemob">9</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
</tr>
<tr class="MAJOR-1">
<td class="pds l">2019-20</td>
<td class="pdt l hhw ">Vancouver Canucks</td>
<td class="pdl l">NHL</td>
<td class="pdgp">69</td>
<td class="hidemob">5</td>
<td class="hidemob">12</td>
<td class="hidemob">17</td>
<td class="hidemob">32</td>
<td class="hidemob">10</td>
<td class="hidemob">17</td>
<td class="hidemob">2</td>
<td class="hidemob">1</td>
<td class="hidemob">3</td>
<td class="hidemob">10</td>
</tr>
<tr class="MAJOR-1 odd">
<td class="pds l">2020-21</td>
<td class="pdt l hhw ">Detroit Red Wings</td>
<td class="pdl l">NHL</td>
<td class="pdgp">44</td>
<td class="hidemob">3</td>
<td class="hidemob">8</td>
<td class="hidemob">11</td>
<td class="hidemob">12</td>
<td class="hidemob">-13</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
</tr>
<tr class="MAJOR-1">
<td class="pds l">2021-22</td>
<td class="pdt l hhw ">Detroit Red Wings</td>
<td class="pdl l">NHL</td>
<td class="pdgp">16</td>
<td class="hidemob">1</td>
<td class="hidemob">1</td>
<td class="hidemob">2</td>
<td class="hidemob">9</td>
<td class="hidemob">-6</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
</tr>
<tr class="MAJOR-1 odd">
<td class="pds l">2021-22</td>
<td class="pdt l hhw ">Los Angeles Kings</td>
<td class="pdl l">NHL</td>
<td class="pdgp">13</td>
<td class="hidemob">0</td>
<td class="hidemob">1</td>
<td class="hidemob">1</td>
<td class="hidemob">4</td>
<td class="hidemob">-1</td>
<td class="hidemob">4</td>
<td class="hidemob">2</td>
<td class="hidemob">2</td>
<td class="hidemob">4</td>
<td class="hidemob">0</td>
</tr>
<tr class="MAJOR-1">
<td class="pds l">2022-23</td>
<td class="pdt l hhw ">Arizona Coyotes</td>
<td class="pdl l">NHL</td>
<td class="pdgp">61</td>
<td class="hidemob">0</td>
<td class="hidemob">7</td>
<td class="hidemob">7</td>
<td class="hidemob">29</td>
<td class="hidemob">-3</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
</tr>
<tr class="MAJOR-1 odd">
<td class="pds l">2022-23</td>
<td class="pdt l hhw ">Calgary Flames</td>
<td class="pdl l">NHL</td>
<td class="pdgp">20</td>
<td class="hidemob">3</td>
<td class="hidemob">4</td>
<td class="hidemob">7</td>
<td class="hidemob">15</td>
<td class="hidemob">-3</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
<td class="hidemob">--</td>
</tr>
<tr class="MAJOR-1">
<td class="pds l">2023-24</td>
<td class="pdt l hhw ">Arizona Coyotes</td>
<td class="pdl l">NHL</td>
<td class="pdgp">47</td>
<td class="hidemob">1</td>
<td class="hidemob">4</td>
<td class="hidemob">5</td>
<td class="hidemob">24</td>
<td class="hidemob">5</td>
<td class="hidemob"></td>
<td class="hidemob"></td>
<td class="hidemob"></td>
<td class="hidemob"></td>
<td class="hidemob"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="MAJOR-1 odd">
<td class="pds l">2023-24</td>
<td class="pdt l hhw ">Edmonton Oilers</td>
<td class="pdl l">NHL</td>
<td class="c hidemob" colspan="6">Statistics Unavailable</td>
<td class="hidemob"></td>
<td class="hidemob"></td>
<td class="hidemob"></td>
<td class="hidemob"></td>
<td class="hidemob"></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
<tfoot>
<tr class="c_sec_foot">
<td class=""></td>
<td class="l"><strong>NHL Totals</strong></td>
<td class=""></td>
<td class=""><strong>487</strong></td>
<td class="hidemob"><strong>19</strong></td>
<td class="hidemob"><strong>89</strong></td>
<td class="hidemob"><strong>108</strong></td>
<td class="hidemob"><strong>217</strong></td>
<td class="hidemob"></td>
<td class="hidemob"><strong>21</strong></td>
<td class="hidemob"><strong>4</strong></td>
<td class="hidemob"><strong>3</strong></td>
<td class="hidemob"><strong>7</strong></td>
<td class="hidemob"><strong>10</strong></td>
</tr>
</tfoot>
</table>
&nbsp;

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