Vancouver Canucks Analysis: Troy Stecher Means Much More
By David Joun
The Stecher Effect #2: A Trade Catalyst on the Blueline
It has been well documented how the Canucks have a mess on the blueline to start the year. The end of the season saw a disgruntled Andrey Pedan playing single-digit minutes as a forward while big Nikita Tryamkin took over a top-four role over a span of a handful of games on a depleted blueline.
So the blueline looks like this, based on the contracts that are already in place:
Edler – Tanev
Hutton – Tryamkin
Sbisa – Biega
Add Pedan into that mix, as well as this guy:
I don’t think the Canucks have to look too far for a defenceman who can play on the powerplay. Not with this Philip Larsen in the house in exchange for a fifth-round pick. Larsen, perhaps overlooked by some here in Vancouver, has a long NHL resume.
Carrying eight defenceman without Hamhuis in the equation? The lineup is full to the brim.
Now, Troy Stecher is probably not going to be able to make the team out of camp. He will certainly be a top call-up option from the AHL. But if the Canucks see enough in Stecher to play as the eight defenceman come February 2017, who is stopping Jim Benning from trading out a depth defenceman to a contender?
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Enter Alex Biega.
The 28-year-old depth defenceman has left many in Van City wondering if he is a top-six caliber player. He certainly is a great plug-in option, but he did not show enough to earn himself a top-six spot, especially with this much competition for the job next year.
So how about shipping out Biega at the trade deadline and bringing up Stecher?
Signing Stecher just made Biega an effective trade asset. Would be a nice depth option for contenders, right? Or if the Canucks desperately want to bring Hamhuis back, Biega could be a piece moving at the 2016 Entry Draft where Jim Benning has proved himself the most active.
Next: The Stecher Effect #3: Young Leader for the Prospects