After a quiet week of no deals involving the Arizona Coyotes, they have made their first move today before Friday’s NHL Trade Deadline.
According to Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, Arizona shipped defenseman Troy Stecher and a 2024 seventh-round pick to the Edmonton Oilers for a 2027 fourth-rounder (via Boston Bruins).
This comes after last season, the Coyotes traded him to the Oilers’ arch-rivals, the Calgary Flames, before last year’s deadline. In 61 games, Stecher recorded seven assists, 85 blocks and 57 hits in his first stint with Arizona.
Following his time in Calgary, Stecher opted to re-sign with the ‘Yotes on a one-year contract.
Returning to the Valley, the Canadian played 47 games, scored a goal, and grabbed four assists, 67 blocks and 52 hits this season.
Overall, the 29-year-old is an eight-year NHL veteran, suiting up for 487 games. He has 19 goals, 89 assists, 550 blocks and 510 hits so far.
Suffering a lower-body injury in January, Stecher returned before his second season in Arizona ended up with another trade.
Known for being a defensive defenseman, the Oilers are getting another reliable piece on the backend who possesses speed as they push toward the playoffs.
This is just the first of multiple moves that will presumably take place from the ‘Yotes.
The NHL Trade Deadline shuts at 1 p.m. MST tomorrow afternoon.
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