The Edmonton Oilers are facing a roster crunch as key players return from injury, leading to speculation about potential trades involving veteran players. With Zach Hyman, Mattias Janmark, and Alec Regula nearing their return to the lineup, the Oilers need to make moves to become cap-compliant. Among the players mentioned in trade rumors are defensemen Troy Stecher and Ty Emberson. While both are valuable depth options, trading Stecher appears to be the more logical choice for the Oilers.
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported that the Oilers are trying to find a "soft landing" for Stecher, indicating the team is actively looking to trade him to a situation where he can continue to play in the NHL. Frank Seravalli, an NHL insider, suggested that Emberson is a slightly better player than Stecher, making Stecher the more expendable asset.
Troy Stecher, 31, is in the final year of his contract, carrying a cap hit of $787,500. He has been a reliable depth defenseman for the Oilers, playing in 79 regular-season games and eight playoff games since being acquired in 2024. Stecher is known for his steady, low-risk play and professionalism, making him a valuable asset in the locker room. However, he is not considered a top-pairing defenseman and is likely to be a sixth or seventh defenseman on most teams.
Ty Emberson, 25, is under contract for two more years at $1.3 million per year. He was acquired by the Oilers in a trade with the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Cody Ceci and a 2025 third-round pick. Emberson is a right-shot defenseman who provides physicality and has shown promise as a bottom-pairing defenseman. He has played in 41 of the Oilers' 43 games this season and is averaging 1:47 of penalty-kill ice time per game, second-most on the team.
Several factors suggest that trading Stecher is the better option for the Oilers. First, Emberson is younger and has more potential than Stecher. Emberson has also been playing well recently, establishing himself as a solid bottom-pairing NHL defenseman. Second, Emberson's contract extends for two more seasons, providing the Oilers with more cost certainty and stability on the blue line. Third, trading Stecher would free up cap space without sacrificing a player who is likely to be a part of the Oilers' long-term plans.
While the Oilers may not receive a significant return for Stecher, trading him would accomplish several important goals. It would alleviate the roster crunch, create cap space, and allow the Oilers to keep a younger, more promising defenseman in Emberson. Given Stecher's expiring contract and the Oilers' desire to find him a "soft landing," a late-round pick or a depth forward may be the most realistic return.
Ultimately, the decision to trade Stecher or Emberson will depend on the offers the Oilers receive and their long-term plans for the defense. However, based on the current information, trading Stecher appears to be the most logical and beneficial move for the team.
