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One Maple Leafs defenseman has quietly become the team’s most underrated player

One player on the Toronto Maple Leafs is quietly producing at near career-best numbers, has been a major part of some of their victories and surprisingly is on…

By Jacob Tye · Editor in Leaf

Published: Thursday, 29 October 2026 at 11:15 PM

Key Things to Know

Editor In Leaf argues defenseman Troy Stecher is currently the Toronto Maple Leafs' most underrated player.
Stecher scored back-to-back game-winning goals against the New York Rangers and Edmonton Oilers in October.
He sits tied for the second-best even-strength goal differential on the Maple Leafs at plus-three.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Editor In Leaf argues that defenseman Troy Stecher has emerged as the Toronto Maple Leafs' most underrated player this season. Acquired off waivers from the Edmonton Oilers, Stecher has contributed five points in 15 games and scored consecutive game-winning goals against the New York Rangers and Edmonton Oilers in late October.

The writer highlights Stecher's defensive impact, noting his plus-three even-strength goal differential and heavy deployment on Toronto's penalty kill. Advanced skating metrics further show Stecher ranking in the 99th percentile across the NHL for distance skated while shorthanded.

Read the full article on Editor in Leaf

One Maple Leafs defenseman has quietly become the team’s most underrated player

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