Steckel, a free agent, then signed with the Washington Capitals August 25, 2005, on the recommendation of Bruce Boudreau.

During the 2011 NHL Winter Classic on January 1, 2011, Steckel collided with Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby on a blindside hit while skating out of his own zone to rejoin the play.

Hedman later said that he believed it was the collision with Steckel which had caused Crosby's severe concussion,[7] and many observers concurred.

[8][9][10] On February 28, 2011, Steckel along with Washington's 2012 2nd round pick was traded from the Capitals to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Jason Arnott.

He sparingly appeared in 13 games before being traded on March 15, 2013, to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Ryan Lasch and a seventh-round pick in the 2014 draft.

[14] On July 28, 2015, as a free agent, Steckel opted to sign his first contract abroad, agreeing to a one-year deal with German club, Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers of the DEL.