Troy Stecher Releases Heartbreaking Comments Prior to Game 4 vs. the Stars

Stecher is not one to complain. As heartbreaking as it sounds, he knows the math: Ekholm is among the league's top defencemen, and if he is well, he plays.

'He's a better player than me, that's the reality of the world and the business we live in,' said Stecher.

Ekholm last played on April 11 and missed every single playoff game so far

Ekholm last played on April 11 because of a lower-body injury and has missed all the Oilers' playoff games to this point. His availability would be an option for head coach Kris Knoblauch and defensive coach Paul Coffey.

Without Ekholm, Stecher has paired up quite well with Darnell Nurse. But if the Oilers are going to roster six defencemen, it's conceivable Stecher is the one who has to go.

'He's probably our 1a or 1b, depending on how you look at Bouch (Evan Bouchard), one, what the public thinks he is. He's an elite defenceman in this league. He played in the 4 Nations, he's played for Team Sweden. He's been to the Cup final in Nashville (and here last spring). If healthy, I want him playing. Yeah, if I'm out, I will be disappointed, but he gives us a better chance to win,' said Stecher.

Or they could do the conservative approach, employing seven defencemen and 11 forwards to ease Ekholm back in.

At 184 pounds, Stecher's weight has never been an issue. Like previous Oiler Kris Russell, he compensates with grit, heart, and a physical style, blocking shots, battling larger players, and proving he belongs.

He's skated in almost 600 NHL games with a chip on his shoulder, having to prove himself at every turn, while larger players are more likely to have the doubt removed.

Now, perhaps scratched even when playing well, this appears to be a metaphor for his whole career. But Stecher just keeps doing what he has always done: putting the team ahead of himself, no matter the expense.