Oilers lining up trade to send away 31-year old defenseman

The Edmonton Oilers are just quite crowded.

That could mean the end of a tenure in Edmonton for a 31-year old defenseman.

The player potentially on the move is Troy Stecher.

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman wrote this week: "They are trying to get Troy Stecher a new opportunity."

Stecher has bounced all over the NHL already, so this wouldn't be a new outcome for him.

He has played for the Vancouver Canucks, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, Arizona Coyotes, Calgary Flames, Arizona again and now the Oilers.

Stecher joined the Oilers late in the 2023-24 season and spent all of last season in Edmonton.

In 2024-25, Stecher played 66 games and had three goals with four assists. He also blocked 66 shots and had 35 hits.

This season, Stecher has played in six games, but not since Oct. 30. He's averaging 13.5 minutes of ice time across those contests and hasn't yet recorded a point.

It makes sense for everyone involved to try and get Stecher something new. It doesn't do a 31-year old any good to sit and watch. It also doesn't do the Oilers any good if they know Stecher isn't part of their future plans.

It's early, so a trade might not materialize right away. But if another team needs a defenseman in a pinch, Stecher might be the guy to go after.

MORE: Wild won on an OT goal that didn't even go in the goal