Edmonton Oilers Analyst Predicts Waivers Could Cost Team a Veteran Defenseman
In a new article from The Athletic, Edmonton Oilers analyst Allan Mitchell has predicted that the team could lose veteran defenseman Troy Stecher to waivers.
The Edmonton Oilers defensive unit has been a frequent topic of discussion this offseason particularly when free agency first began.
Despite being tight on salary cap space, many analysts and fans expected the Oilers to make a move to upgrade their defensive unit.
Surprisingly the Oilers did not make any moves on defense leaving an open competition between several players for the last couple of roster spots.
Tonight, a report from Allan Mitchell of The Athletic has indicated that veteran defenseman Troy Stecher could be the odd man out.
Oilers Analyst Believes The Team Will Place Veteran Defenseman Troy Stecher On Waivers
According to the report from Mitchell, the Oilers have a difficult decision to make between keeping Ty Emberson, Alec Regula, or Troy Stecher.
Emberson is a player that the Oilers invested in through a trade while Regula brings a size and physicality element that is missing in the other defensemen on the roster.
Ty Emberson's acquisition cost a year ago (third-round pick and Cody Ceci), along with a solid first season in Edmonton, makes him a lock for the roster. Alec Regula was picked up on waivers last fall and didn't get into any games due to injury. He can move the puck and make plays, plus his size (6-foot-4) will play well on an Oilers defence that can get overpowered at times.
As a result, Mitchell believes when the roster is finalized Stecher will be the odd man out.
That leaves a good NHL defenceman, Troy Stecher, as the possible waiver loss. He is undersized (5-foot-10) but had a strong season and played eight games in the postseason in the spring. It would be a significant loss for the team, which employed 11 defencemen last season. Stecher is, at worst, No. 8 on the depth chart entering camp.
Stecher, 31, played 66 games for the Oilers last season and would almost certainly be scooped up on waivers by another team.
This means Stan Bowman and Kris Knoblauch will have a very difficult decision to make once the preseason comes to an end.
As the situation continues to play out we will provide all the latest news on which players are most likely to make the Oilers opening night roster.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 5 | 95 ANSWERS Edmonton Oilers Analyst Predicts Waivers Could Cost Team a Veteran Defenseman Will the Edmonton Oilers lose Troy Stecher on waivers? | ||
| Yes | 64 | 67.4 % |
| No | 31 | 32.6 % |
| List of polls | ||