Stecher made his season debut Monday in a victory over the New York Rangers but will be a healthy scratch Tuesday as Arizona heads to Elmont to face the New York Islanders. The 29-year-old had one shot across 23 shifts and 17:38 TOI in his debut but will head to the press box Tuesday for Josh Brown.
After being a healthy scratch in their season opener, Stecher will make his season debut in his return to the Arizona Coyotes. Last season, Stecher split time between the Coyotes and Flames, scoring 14 points (3G / 11A) in 81 games. Stecher will replace Josh Brown, who will be a healthy scratch on Monday night.
Stecher was signed to a one-year, $1.1 million contract by Arizona during the offseason but will be the odd-man out for the Coyotes' first game vs. New Jersey. The 29-year-old defensemen had three goals, 11 assists, 88 SOG, 44 PIMs and a -6 plus/minus in 81 games played with both Arizona and Calgary in 2022-23. He is entering his eighth NHL season and should find himself in the Coyotes' lineup more often than not.
Stecher returns to the Coyotes after being dealt to the Flames as a rental at the 2023 trade deadline. The 29-year-old blueliner finished the season with 14 points (3G / 11A) in 81 games and brings a veteran presence to a Coyotes' blueline that is mainly young and inexperienced.
Stecher has seven assists, 62 SOG, 29 PIMs and a -3 plus/minus through 61 games played with Arizona and has been dealt alongside Nick Ritchie to Calgary for Connor Mackey and Brett Richie. The 28-year-old defenseman has 96 points (15G/81A) through 420 career NHL games.
Stecher is in the final year of a two-year contract worth $1.7 million. Stecher provides the Kings with some serious injury concerns at the moment. They've been without Drew Doughty, Mikey Anderson and Matt Roy for the last few weeks. There was also a report earlier in the weekend that Doughty's injury may be more serious than originally feared, so Stecher brings a veteran presence to a team relying on a lot of young defensemen right now.
Stecher is set to play for the first time since November 4th and it will be just his seventh game of the season. Stecher will slide into the lineup for Filip Hronek, who was added to the COVID-19 protocol list.
Stecher will be out until at least late February after undergoing wrist surgery. Stecher played a huge role for the Red Wings last year (17:19 ATOI) but the additions of Moritz Seider and Nick Leddy has pushed him down the depth chart (14:28 ATOI), so this isn't a huge loss for the Red Wing, who will continue to use Gustav Lindstrom on the third pair.
The Red Wings provided a more clear timeline for Stecher but still have not disclosed the nature of his injury. With Stecher out, Gustav Lindstrom should continue to skate with Marc Staal moving forward.
Stecher will miss his third straight game on Tuesday and could miss an extended period of time. There's no indication of what is ailing Stecher but expect an update after he sees a specialist.
Stecher is an extremely mobile, puck-moving defenseman that will help the Red Wings' blueline immensely. Stecher set a new career-high in goals (5) last season but went from 19:55 ATOI to 15:21 as he was pushed down the Canucks' depth chart. Expect him to be back near 19:00 ATOI as he moves into the Red Wings' top-4.
Stecher is in concussion protocol after being hit by Danick Martel during Tuesday’s game vs. the Lightning. Alex Biega will replace Stecher in the lineup.
