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Maple Leafs Announce Roster Decision Amid Unfortunate Setbacks

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Nov 16, 2025 10:08 AM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs added a defenseman to their roster on Saturday, making a move to stabilize their back end amid a growing list of injuries and mounting early-season losses.

The Leafs claimed Troy Stecher off waivers from the Edmonton Oilers, with the 31-year-old blueliner arriving in Toronto with 566 NHL games of experience.

Stecher's six-game stint with the Oilers this year saw him average just over 13 minutes per night, but he has not dressed since Oct. 30.

Toronto is without Brandon Carlo and Chris Tanev, the latter still sidelined after being stretchered off the ice earlier this month. Carlo also missed Saturday’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks due to a lower-body injury and is listed day-to-day.

Though Tanev has resumed skating, head coach Craig Berube said on Nov. 8 that he was “just progressing in the right direction,” and there’s no official timeline for his return.

The Maple Leafs have claimed D Troy Stecher off waivers from Edmonton.

G Anthony Stolarz has been placed on injured reserve retroactive to November 11, 2025.
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) November 15, 2025

With both veterans out, the Leafs’ defense has struggled. Philippe Myers, Simon Benoit and Dakota Mermis have seen increased roles, but the unit is allowing the second-most goals-against per game (3.79) in the NHL.

Stecher brings experience from previous stops in Vancouver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Arizona, Calgary and Edmonton.

The former Oilers defenseman also played under Brad Treliving when the current Leafs general manager held that position with the Calgary Flames and has a history with Berube from Western Conference matchups.