Toronto is where Troy Stecher will continue to reside. Elliotte Friedman claims that the Maple Leafs are nearing a deal to extend the 32-year-old defenseman’s contract, which is estimated to be between $1M and $1.5M.
On the surface, it’s a calm contract headline for a Monday morning. However, the context surrounding it makes the action worth analyzing.
With a cap hit of $787,500, Stecher ended the year with 14 points in 64 games. Over the course of the year, he was minus-8 and scored just one point in his final ten games.
They are at the bottom of the list. And by that standard, he kept his own, which was precisely what he was requested to be.
Toronto is practically doubling his existing cap hit at $1 million to $1.5 million. That is a commitment that has to be carefully examined for a defender who didn’t register a single power play point this season.
As the blue line rebuild really gets underway, the Leafs solidify their depth.
With a record of 32-36-14 and a goal differential of -46, Toronto placed 28th overall. That issue had been a major part of the blue line for the whole season.
Something about the front office’s thinking is revealed by the re-signing of Stecher. Even if it means overpaying a depth player a little, they desire continuity in the backend.
One legitimate question is whether this is clever roster management or just sloth presented as a plan. It’s just one motion. However, the Leafs have a number of choices to make during the summer that will determine which way the team will really go.
Friedman characterized Stecher as a player who performed exceptionally well for their team. It is difficult to challenge that statement. He was reliable. He showed up every night.
But Toronto went 2-7-1 in its last 10 games and finished on a seven-game losing streak. The depth on the blue line wasn’t the only problem, but adding $1.5M to a guy who logged 14 points and went minus-8 is not obviously the starting point for fixing it.
The structure of the deal, including term, has not been confirmed. But based on Friedman’s reporting, it sounds like both sides are close.
Stecher has spent time with Vancouver, Detroit, and Los Angeles before landing in Toronto. He’s a journeyman, yes, but the kind teams trust in a room. A guy like that has value. Just not always at a price that climbs.
Leafs supporters who are monitoring this offseason carefully will need something more than a Stecher extension to believe the club is moving in the right path.
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