Why the Maple Leafs should sign Troy Stecher to an extension

"Back in mid-November, Troy Stecher was an early saviour for the Toronto Maple Leafs. They had just lost Chris Tanev and Brandon Carlo to long-term injuries, but it was early enough in the season that their struggles could be written off as early-season blues and the playoffs were very much still top of mind. The Oilers placed Stecher on waivers and he was claimed by the Maple Leafs, immediately slotting into their defensive corps to try and stop the bleeding on an ailing unit."

"While he was used somewhat sparingly in his first few games, understandably so given he had to adjust to a new system, Stecher immediately took on a bigger load than he was expected to, and starting on November 29 in a 7-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, he went on a streak of ten games where he played at least 20 minutes, tallying a goal and four assists for five points over that stretch."

"As we enter the Olympic break, the reality of a playoff berth doesn't seem nearly as likely as it would have back in November. The Maple Leafs dropped six games in a row, including the entirety of a five-game homestand in January, and they are now six points back of the Boston Bruins for a playoff spot and faced with the reality of a re-tool at the deadline rather than firmly etching themselves as a buyer or a seller."

Troy Stecher was claimed off waivers from the Oilers in mid-November and immediately joined the Maple Leafs' defensive corps after injuries to Chris Tanev and Brandon Carlo. After a short adjustment he logged a ten-game stretch beginning November 29 in which he played at least 20 minutes per game and recorded a goal and four assists. Stecher has supplied calming, stable play on the back end amid a season of underperformance and injuries. The Leafs subsequently fell out of playoff position, sit six points behind Boston, and face re-tooling decisions at the deadline; extending Stecher would retain defensive depth.

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