Cody Ceci Headed to UFA Market, Could Circle Back with Maple Leafs

According to TSN insider Pierre LeBrun, defenseman Cody Ceci is headed to market. He does note the pending UFA defenseman could also circle back to the Maple Leafs and vice versa after the market opens, but the expectation is that he’ll wind up playing for another organization next season since the Leafs are so tight on cap space and both sides are likely ready to move on.

Cody Ceci is headed to market. The pending UFA D could also circle back to the Leafs and vice versa after the market opens.

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) September 30, 2020

Ceci is a polarizing player in Toronto. A defenseman who had some great years in Ottawa and with the Senators, he has not performed anywhere close to that level for the Leafs since his arrival in 2019. In 56 games for the Leafs he had one goal and seven assists. Ironically, he was a plus player in a very down season production wise but that’s not enough for Leaf fans who feel the Toronto blue line requires a serious makeover.

Ceci Will be Taking a Serious Pay Cut

Ceci is coming off a $4.5 million contract and shouldn’t expect those kind of numbers on any deal in free agency. A tight cap has left GMs struggling to find room for players and while some teams have more cap space than others, Ceci likely won’t be at the top of anyone’s wish list.

Would Ottawa take another look? They have space and each side is familiar with the other.

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