Troy Stecher Re-Signs in Toronto

Troy Stecher is still a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) defenseman is being re-signed by Toronto at $1.35 million a season on a two-year deal.

Elliotte Friedman from Sportsnet reported earlier today that the Maple Leafs and Stecher were getting close to a new deal. Rick Dhaliwal from Donnie and Dhali in Vancouver reported that the deal is done.

Stecher played well with the Maple Leafs after he was claimed off waivers from the Edmonton Oilers. He finished the season with three goals and 11 assists for 14 points. Due to a list of injuries on Toronto’s blueline, Stecher was counted on a lot and averaged over 19 minutes a night. With a healthy blueline, Stecher will average closer to 14 minutes.

Re-signing Stecher gives Toronto seven defensemen on their roster. They also still have Emil Andrae (RFA) to qualify and/or sign. Andrae was part of the return in the Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit trade with the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Maple Leafs still have some decisions to make regarding their blueline, but for now they’re starting to have a backlog. There is still a chance that Morgan Rielly is traded. Philippe Myers could also be traded as the odd man out or claimed if put on waivers to start the season.

With Carlo being traded to the St. Louis Blues at the NHL draft, re-signing Stecher gives Toronto three right-shooting defensemen. He joins Chris Tanev and Darren Raddysh as the Maple Leafs’ right-shooting defensemen.