After a busy day of free agency, the Edmonton Oilers are still going. Now, the team has re-signed defenceman Troy Stecher, who they acquired at the trade deadline from the Arizona Coyotes.
The Edmonton Oilers acquired Stecher at the trade deadline for a fourth round draft pick. It was hoped that he could serve as a depth defenceman through the playoffs, but unfortunately Stecher had to undergo surgery midway through the playoffs to remove a cyst in his ankle. Stecher only played 7 games for the Oilers last season, recording 2 assists.
Stecher is expected to be available for the beginning of next season after surgery, but won't begin skating under sometime in August. The Oilers have lost Vincent Desharnais to the Canucks, but have added Josh Brown, Connor Carrick, and now retained Troy Stecher to stack their defensive depth.
Stecher was signed by the Vancouver Canucks back in 2016 as an undrafted free agent, and has gone on to make an impressive career in the NHL. He's now played with 6 teams across a 494 game career, often as a reliable two-way defenceman. In his early years in Vancouver, he often surpassed 20 points - but now hasn't in some time after missing many games in recent season due to injury.
With a full litany of moves today that have significantly improved the roster, Oilers fans will be feeling great about their team heading into next season. After coming so close to a Stanley Cup and improving the roster this much, the whole hockey world will be expecting Edmonton to get back to the Cup Final next playoffs.
