{ "blocks": [ { "type": "video", "data": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/KGmW2JZa.mp4", "streached": true, "controls": true, "caption": "Edmonton Oilers goalies Stuart Ski", "image": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/KGmW2JZa-poster.jpg" }, "cdn": { "service": "jwplayer", "playlistUrl": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/KGmW2JZa.m3u8", "sources": [ { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/KGmW2JZa.m3u8", "type": "application/vnd.apple.mpegurl" }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/KGmW2JZa-6BqRsIZU.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 180, "width": 320, "label": "180p", "bitrate": 229061, "filesize": 1059410, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/KGmW2JZa-9v74kdqA.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 270, "width": 480, "label": "270p", "bitrate": 315018, "filesize": 1456960, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/KGmW2JZa-6y7sVmmt.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 720, "width": 1280, "label": "720p", "bitrate": 1022194, "filesize": 4727651, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/KGmW2JZa-49yBiHwd.m4a", "type": "audio/mp4", "label": "AAC Audio", "bitrate": 116110, "filesize": 537010 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/KGmW2JZa-ckztByCT.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 360, "width": 640, "label": "360p", "bitrate": 386109, "filesize": 1785758, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/KGmW2JZa-p1MW43gx.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 540, "width": 960, "label": "540p", "bitrate": 649441, "filesize": 3003665, "framerate": 30 } ] } } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "EDMONTON -- Ken Holland said that he would acquire another veteran defenseman for the Edmonton Oilers. Many insiders also used the phrase \"depth defenseman.\"" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "At surface level Troy Stecher certainly fits that bill." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjwSGhv3HAE[/embed]" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "When you take a closer look at Stecher's numbers - and how they compare to current Oilers, you see a much more useful defender." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The eight year NHL veteran is no stranger to playing significant minutes. For the Arizona Coyotes this season he has averaged 18:26 per game - fourth most on the team. Although for the Coyotes they distribute minutes more evenly along their six defensemen." } }, { "type": "image", "data": { "file": { "url": "https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA0ODc2Mzk4NTc2MjgwOTIy/usatsi_22194048_168401874_lowres.jpg" }, "caption": "Troy Stecher" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "That's three minutes more ice time than both Brett Kulak and Vincent Desharnais - and about a minute and a half less than Cody Ceci." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Ceci has a worse Corsi For % (CF%) against elite competition (49.5%) than four of the other five regular defensemen on the Oilers. The only other defender who is worse is Vincent Desharnais. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Conversely, the three best on the Oilers against elite competition are Evan Bouchard, Mattias Ekholm and Brett Kulak. Could Stecher be a good partner for Kulak?" } }, { "type": "image", "data": { "file": { "url": "https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxMjMzMjM5ODEyMDg5MzY2/usatsi_21545031_168401874_lowres.jpg" }, "caption": "Brett Kulak." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The correct answer is, possibly. Looking at Stecher's numbers reveals a couple of things. He has a CF% similar to Ceci against elites - 48.7%. Yes, that is lower than Ceci, but relative to Stecher's former teammates he did quite well." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Only Michael Kesselring and Sean Durzi did better against elites, while JJ Moser was a touch below." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "That presents Kris Knoblauch with a unique opportunity. He could sit Desharnais for a couple games to play Stecher with Kulak - and then give that pairing tougher deployment. This would allow him to reunite Ceci with Darnell Nurse and deploy them against softer competition." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjZbjIoP9-w[/embed]" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Desharnais has been a great defenseman for the Oilers this season, but I imagine that it would be easier for the coaching staff to convince him to sit a game than it would to rest Ceci." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Subscribe to Inside the Locker Room for exclusive interviews, as well as sights and sounds from Oilers practices." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss news, interviews or any other updates on the Oilers." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Related: Oilers Make Drastic Changes Following Loss" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Related: 2 Former Oilers Defenders on Waivers" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Related: Golden Knights Acquire Oilers Trade Target" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Related: Ex-Oilers Goalie Makes Save of the Year" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Related: Ex-Oilers Player Top Trade Target From Kraken" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Related: Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg's Fate Sealed" } } ] }

Troy Stecher Could Replace Cody Ceci