Vancouver Canucks: Bachman Clears Waivers, Stecher Sent Down
The Vancouver Canucks have reduced their roster by two more players, assigning goaltender Richard Bachman and defenseman Troy Stecher to the Utica Comets.
The Vancouver Canucks have until tomorrow to finalize their roster. This morning they cut two more players, assigning goaltender Richard Bachman and defenseman Troy Stecher to the Utica Comets.
The Canucks placed Bachman on waivers yesterday. With Ryan Miller and Jacob Markstrom in Vancouver, Bachman was always destined for the AHL. However, with Markstrom arriving late to training camp after participating in the World Cup, the Canucks kept Bachman around to serve as backup during preseason games.
This also gave first-year pros Thatcher Demko and Michael Garteig more practice time at the Utica Comets’ training camp.
There was concern that Bachman would be picked up on waivers, particularly because of the expansion draft. However, every other team in the NHL is trying to cut players, not acquire more. for the second time in three years, Jim Benning has snuck a goaltender through waivers.
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Sending Stecher down will be more controversial. The Canucks want to make the playoffs and promised to ice their best roster this season. Stecher was easily one of the best players in Canucks training camp and preseason.
Stecher played with Alexander Edler for most of the preseason and both players looked great in that combination. Stecher looked comfortable and logged first-pairing minutes, while Edler seemed to become more physical and more dynamic offensively.
That pairing may not have lasted long, as Edler usually plays with Christopher Tanev. Still, it seemed that Stecher had performed well enough to earn a roster spot.
It seems not. The Canucks probably decided to send him down because there was no risk. Stecher is one of only two Canucks defensemen who does not require waivers. The other — Nikita Tryamkin — has an AHL out-clause. Sending Stecher to Utica was the safest option.
Still, some people are upset. Fans were excited to watch rookie Ben Hutton make the Canucks last season. Stecher looked just as impressive.
But this year is different. The Canucks will have to let several promising players go before tomorrow. They have only 23 roster spots, and competition for the last few spots has been tough.
The Vancouver Canucks are now down to 27 players. Only four more decisions to go.
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