Red Wings: Detroit Trade Chip, Troy Stecher

The trade deadline is tomorrow at 3:00 PM ET and Detroit General Manager Steve Yzerman is putting the finishing touches on what might be his busiest day as a Red Wings executive.  Here is a look at what may happen to Troy Stecher in the next 24 hours.

Why trading Stecher is a good idea

Troy Stecher was injured for a good portion of the season, but is now healthy and playing on the 3rd defense pairing with Marc Staal.  The duo have been pretty solid playing together for the last two seasons.  Since his return from injury, Stecher has been playing 15-17 minutes a night.

Stecher has only played 16 games with Detroit this year.  He has one goal, one assist, two points, and a -6 rating.  Stecher played 44 out of 56 games in the abbreviated season last year.  Stecher scored three goals, eight assists, 11 points, and a -13 rating.

At the end of the season, Stecher represented Canada at IIHF World Championships.  Playing with #1 pick Owen Power, Stecher played on the top defense pair and helped guide Canada to a gold medal.  In 10 games playing for Canada, Stecher scored one goal, one assit, two points, and a +5 rating.

Stecher will turn 28 next month and will be an UFA at the end of the season.  Being a right-handed shot, the veteran Stecher would provide any playoff team with depth at the defense position.

If Detroit trades Stecher in this market, you can expect a mid-round pick in return.  Stecher will be an UFA after the season and could return to the Red Wings and provide depth to a young defense core next season.

Why keeping Stecher may happen

Troy Stecher has a cap hit of $1.7M annually.  Even though Stecher can become an UFA, because of his injury woes, teams will likely shy away from the likable player.

In 60 career games with Detroit over the past two seasons, Stecher has scored four goals, nine assists, 13 points, and a -19 rating.  For his career, Stecher has played 346 games over six NHL seasons, has scored 15 goals, 73 assists, and 88 points.

Stecher still remains a solid depth defenseman at the NHL level.  He provides insurance on the right side of the Detroit defense.

In all likelihood, the Red Wings will allow Stecher to hit free agency and re-sign him to a one or two year extension.  Stecher has been a solid defense partner for Marc Staal, and he will provide Detroit with an opportunity for the young defense prospects in Grand Rapids to mature before they transition to the NHL.