Trade Deadline: Red Wings trade Troy Stecher to Kings

Detroit Red Wings General Manager made his first trade in almost a year today shipping Troy Stecher to the Los Angeles Kings.  The Red Wings received a 7th round pick in the 2022 draft.

Stecher is an impending UFA that Yzerman must have felt didn’t have a future in Detroit.  Stecher was injured for most of this season as he only played 16 games.  The trade opens up $1.7M in cap space for the Red Wings.

In Stecher, the Kings receive a player who has one goal and two points on the season.  During six seasons in the NHL, Stecher has scored 15 goals, 73 assists, and 88 points in 346 regular season games.  Stecher also played 17 playoff games for Vancouver during the 2020 playoff run.  He scored two goals and three points and was a +9 player in the playoffs.

The trade also provides an opportunity for younger players to play during the final 20 games of the schedule.  With a roster spot now open on the blueline, and other defensemen possibly being moved by tomorrow’s deadline, expect prospects like Jared McIsaac and Donovan Sebrango to get their first taste of the NHL.

Los Angeles receives a healthy Troy Stecher that will be added as insurance on the Kings blueline.  Currently, Los Angeles only have six healthy defensemen on their active roster.  With three Kings defensemen on the IR and with a firm hold on a playoff spot, Los Angeles had to add to their depth on defense.

It’s a win-win for both teams.  Detroit obtain another draft pick that may be used at a later date as a trade chip or a wild-card draft pick.  Los Angeles get depth on defense, take on a marginal cap hit, and get a character player that has been a fan favorite everywhere he has played.