Canucks defenceman Troy Stecher not given qualifying offer

Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning spoke to the media about why they didn't extend a qualifying offer to Troy Stecher and whether or not the defenseman is still apart of the organization's future plans.

As the Vancouver Canucks continue to navigate a complicated salary-cap situation, the club has elected not to give defenceman Troy Stecher a qualifying offer.

The 26-year-old will now become an unrestricted free agent.

The club did extend qualifying offers to seven restricted free agents, most notably Jake Virtanen and Adam Gaudette. The deadline to do so was 5 p.m. ET/ 2 p.m. PT Wednesday.

Stecher, who grew up in nearby Richmond, B.C., has been a mainstay on the Canucks blue line for four seasons. In 2019-20, he had a career-high five goals, with 17 total points and a plus-10 rating.

The Canucks have been rumoured to be in trade discussions with the Coyotes for captain Oliver Ekman-Larson, who has seven more years on his contract with a cap hit of $8.25 million. The Canucks are also continuing contract talks with soon-to-be free agent goalie Jacob Markstrom, further adding to the complicated salary-cap picture.

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