Detroit Red Wings flip Troy Stecher for draft capital ahead of trade deadline

The Detroit Red Wings have made a trade. No, it’s not the blockbuster deal that the fanbase is likely expecting out of General Manager (GM) Steve Yzerman, but it could mean something more is coming.

The Detroit Red Wings sent defenseman Troy Stecher to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. Exhilarating stuff from the Red Wings. All jokes aside, the team has opted to stop pursuing the Stecher in a “depth role” narrative.

Stecher sustained an injury early on in the season and has logged just 16 games for the Red Wings in 2021-22, where he has one goal and one assist while being a minus-six. He played 44 games in 2020-21, adding three goals and eight assists for 11 total points.

The Red Wings opted to take the seventh-round pick, hoping they could package it in another deal or find that last-minute steal in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. Though there are some more likely reasons for this trade.

Detroit Red Wings trade Troy Stecher, likely with bigger motives.

The Red Wings signed Stecher to a two-year contract worth $3.4 million, split $1.7 million annually. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and likely is a depth addition/insurance addition for the Kings.

However, for the Red Wings, there may be more to this trade than shows on the surface level. With defenseman Nick Leddy being held out of games recently, it seems that they may be looking to move the incredibly underwhelming veteran.

Beyond that, there have been several options for the Red Wings when it comes to moving players before the deadline. From players like Leddy up to some of the bigger names like Tyler Bertuzzi, it seems that the Red Wings are going to make a splash.

This move may have freed up the roster spot and allowed Yzerman some wiggle room in whatever other trade(s) he has in the pipeline before the deadline comes. So while this move looks like a throw-away deal at face value, there may be more to it before the deadline comes and goes later on today.

Do not underestimate Yzerman and his ability to produce a transaction out of thin air. He’s made some quality moves in his time as the team’s general manager, and the benefits of him being in charge have already started to show.

Sit back and enjoy as the Yzerman continues to unfold.