According to Elliotte Friedman, the Toronto Maple Leafs have claimed defenseman Troy Stecher off waivers from the Edmonton Oilers. Stecher was fired Friday to make room for the returning Zach Hyman and after the Oilers failed to find a trade partner.
The Oilers had considered trading Stecher, but were reluctant to move him unless it was absolutely necessary. Friedman reported that the veteran defenseman was the most likely candidate due to Edmonton’s limited playing time and blue-line logjam.
Still, his low hitting and reliability provided him with valuable depth, especially in the face of unavoidable injuries. In Toronto, where the Maple Leafs are struggling, Stecher will become a reliable veteran option.
The Oilers had also explored moving higher-salaried players like Mattias Janmark or, less likely, Ty Emberson, to create meaningful cap space. Ultimately, it was determined that Stecher was the player to move, knowing there was a chance the team could lose him without a return.
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