Vancouver Canucks's Officially Have Player Stolen Out From Under Them by the Toronto Maple Leafs
Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
Troy Stecher was placed on waivers yesterday by the Edmonton Oilers to make cap space available for the return of Zach Hyman, despite the interest of the Vancouver Canucks, the Toronto Maple Leafs claimed the veteran defensemen.
Stecher started his career with the Canucks, and there was a potential reunion in the works, he would have helped with their injury problem.
"The Vancouver Canucks have had a difficult time with injuries since the start of the 2025-26 season with Teddy Blueger, Filip Chytil, Thatcher Demko, Derek Forbort and Victor Mancini currently on the sidelines. Defenseman Victor Mancini left Vancouver's game on October 26th with an injury and was placed on injured reserve by the club a few days later."-Jaxon
Maple Leafs claim Stecher, spoil reunion with Canucks.
Liam McCormick of Oilers Daily reported on the recent departure of Stecher from the Oilers, the Maple Leafs were in desperate need of some better defence and depth, so they took the opportunity to acquire Stecher.
"As a 31 year old defenceman with 566 career games on an affordable contract, there was little chance Stecher would clear waivers. With the Toronto Maple Leafs struggling blueline, Stecher should get a new opportunity to crack the NHL lineup."-McCormick
Stecher started his career with the Canucks after a stellar college career at North Dakota where he played with former teammate Brock Boeser, he was undrafted but signed by the Canucks at the end of his college career.
"The Edmonton Oilers acquired Stecher for just a 7th round draft pick from the Arizona Coyotes at the 2024 trade deadline, and he served a needed role of veteran depth right away. The Oilers signed Stecher to a bargain contract for 2 years at a cap hit of $787.5K, and he played a key role all through last season. Planned to be the 7th defender, he got into 66 regular season games and 8 playoff games, and always did his job."-McCormick
The Canucks could have used his services, with all the injuries and uncertainty surrounding their players, most notably with Quinn Hughes seemingly completely unmotivated. They could have used a veteran presence like Stecher to lead them through some tough times.
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