The Toronto Maple Leafs announced on Monday that they were bringing back veteran defenseman Troy Stecher on a two-year, $2.7 million deal ($1.35 million AAV). The 32-year-old had 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) in 58 games last season after being claimed off waivers from Edmonton and played for GM John Chayka in Arizona. Stecher reportedly was eager to stay in Toronto, and perfectly slots in as a depth defenseman, capable of stepping up into a higher role when necessary, which he did at times last season. Being right-handed, he could be insurance for veteran Chris Tanev, who is coming back from a season riddled with injuries.
On Monday, the club also announced that they had issued qualifying offers to forwards Nick Robertson, Jacob Quillan, Ryan Tverberg, and defensemen William Villeneuve and Emil Andrae. Forward Matias Maccelli and defenseman Henry Thrun were not issued qualifying offers.
Maccelli, whose qualifying offer would have been in excess of $4 million, is now an unrestricted free agent, and while it is possible that the Leafs bring him back at a lower number, the perception is that Chayka is going in a different direction. The winger was acquired from Utah exactly one year ago for a 2027 third-round in what was a weak attempt by former GM Brad Treliving to replace the playmaking lost by the departure of Mitch Marner to Vegas.
The Leafs were smart to qualify Robertson, who could see a larger role under his third head coach because of the club’s need to have secondary scoring in the bottom six, and Quillan, Villeneuve, and Andrae all could challenge for depth roles. Toronto is expected to be busy on Wednesday, as the unrestricted free agent market opens up, with the need for a second or third line center and forward depth tops on the list.
The rumors of Patrick Kane being in the mix persist, and an addition like that would make some sense as a temporary top six filler alongside Auston Matthews, but as for depth pieces, the name of former Florida Panther pest Ryan Lomberg, 40-something veteran Corey Perry, and former Leafs Michael Bunting and Mason Marchment have been mentioned.
The reality is that with Florida stocking up to be the modern version of the Charleston Chiefs, and Tampa Bay no slouch when it comes to skill and physicality, the Leafs will have to add some snarl up front to compete in the Atlantic Division. The Panthers’ moves to trade for Akira Schmid and Jacob Markstrom end the possibility of a return of Sergei Bobrovsky to the Sunshine State. One now wonders whether the Leafs will go down the road they did in the past with Eddie Belfour, Terry Sawchuk, Jacques Plante, and Johnny Bower, and rely on a goalie in their late 30’s to early 40’s to take them to the promised land.
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