The Edmonton Oilers added a defenseman they hope will try and fill the shoes of the departing Adam Larsson who left for the Seattle Kraken in the NHL Expansion Draft. After trading Ethan Bear to the Carolina Hurricanes, the Oilers signed Cody Ceci to a four-year deal at a rate of $3.25 million per season. There are no trade restrictions in the deal.
There’s going to be a debate in Edmonton now if can defend properly with a right side of Ceci, Evan Bouchard and Tyson Barrie. Certainly, these are questions that the Oilers will have to answer.
There was a strong market for defensemen and not a lot of options on the right side. As such, it’s no wonder the Oilers had to give what is likely to be seen as an overpayment for Ceci who has essentially had to reinvent himself in the NHL. Thought once to be an offensive blueliner, he’s had to round out his game better defensively. Can he be the guy to fill in for Larsson? He’s a downgrade on that style of player.
Fans will remember what Ceci did in Ottawa and that hasn’t left a great taste in a lot of players mouths. That said, he’s improved his game in a major way since then and in Pittsburgh, he was seen as one of the team’s more reliable defenders. He had a strong season for the Penguins in 2020-21, scoring 17 points (4 g, 13 a) in 53 games.
He’ll likely be used in a third-pairing role for the Oilers. As JFresh points out, “He’s a positive defensive player who didn’t look out of place in elevated minutes for the Pens this year. But that term is definitely a tough sell.”
The news on Tyson Barrie’s new deal with the Oilers has yet to officially be announced.
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