The Toronto Maple Leafs have made a series of roster moves, claiming veteran defenseman Troy Stecher off waivers from the Edmonton Oilers and placing goaltender Anthony Stolarz on injured reserve. The team announced the moves on Saturday, as they look to shake things up amidst a struggling season.
Stecher, 31, brings a wealth of experience to the Maple Leafs' blue line. He has played in 566 career games with the Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, Arizona Coyotes, and Calgary Flames, amassing 22 goals and 117 points. This season, however, Stecher has found playing time hard to come by in Edmonton, appearing in just six games without registering a point. He last played on October 30. The Oilers originally acquired Stecher in a trade with Arizona during the 2023-24 season and then signed him to a two-year contract. He carries a cap hit of $787,500 and is set to become an unrestricted free agent in July.
The Maple Leafs' defense has recently been hit by injuries, with Chris Tanev already on injured reserve. The addition of Stecher provides Toronto with needed depth on the blue line. Some hockey experts believe that adding another NHL defenseman is beneficial, especially with Tanev sidelined. Stecher has experience playing for Maple Leafs General Manager Brad Treliving, during a stint with the Coyotes in the 2022-23 season.
To make room for Stecher on the roster, the Maple Leafs placed Anthony Stolarz on injured reserve, retroactive to November 11. Stolarz, 31, last played in the November 11 game against the Boston Bruins, leaving prematurely with an upper-body injury after the first period. Dennis Hildeby replaced him in that game. Stolarz is ineligible to play until next Thursday, when the Leafs host the Columbus Blue Jackets.
In 13 starts this season, Stolarz has a 6-5-1 record, with a 3.51 goals-against average and an .884 save percentage. With Stolarz sidelined, Joseph Woll has been activated to the main roster after a conditioning stint with the Toronto Marlies.
These roster moves come as the Maple Leafs are struggling with a 8-8-2 record and have lost four straight games. They currently sit second last in the Atlantic Division. The Maple Leafs face the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday night.
