As NHL defensemen go, Sekera is not easy to define.

He plays an all-around game and is too skilled to be labeled either a stay-at-home defenseman, a puck-mover or a shutdown presence.

A left-handed shot, the 6-foot, 198-pound Sekera can play on the right or left side. He's not overly physical or flashy, just effective.

What you can call the native of Bojnice, Slovakia, is a valued commodity. Sekera has been depended on to play 20-plus minutes per game, and in all situations.

A third-round pick (No. 71) by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2004 NHL Draft, Sekera played for the Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes and the Los Angeles Kings before signing a six-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers as a free agent on July 1, 2015.

In 2013-14, his only full season with Carolina, Sekera was second in assists (33) and third in points (44).

A seasoned international player, Sekera has represented Slovakia at the Winter Olympics, World Championship and World Junior Championship.