Oilers make waiver move to gear up for major boost up front

The Edmonton Oilers made an unexpected move on Friday, placing defenseman Troy Stecher on waivers.

At first glance, the timing sparked speculation about whether general manager Stan Bowman was clearing space for a potential transaction, but the motivation appears far more straightforward.

According to Chris Johnston the move was made to open a roster spot for star forward Zach Hyman, who is finally set to return from injury. Hyman has been out since the third round of last year’s NHL playoffs with an injury.

The Oilers have also loaned forward Isaac Howard to the AHL's Bakersfield Condors. The young rookie has played 17 games, averaging 9:30 time on ice with two goals, one assist and 19 shots.

Hyman’s absence has been felt throughout Edmonton’s top six. His activation from injured reserve requires both roster and cap maneuvering, and Stecher became the odd man out. He has struggled to carve out a regular role, appearing in limited minutes and rotating in and out of the lineup. If he clears waivers, he is expected to report to AHL Bakersfield.

For Edmonton, the big story is Hyman’s return and whether it can spark a lineup that has battled inconsistency early in the season. The Oilers have relied heavily on their top forwards, and getting Hyman back should immediately boost their offensive rhythm and overall stability.

Hyman is reportedly going to make his season debut against the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday.

Still, the timing of the move may keep fans wondering. With Edmonton continuing to search for solutions on the back end and with trade chatter building league-wide, Stecher’s placement on waivers could end up being both a necessary roster adjustment and a precursor to further activity.

Time will tell.