Cody Ceci Signs With a 1-Yr Deal with Pittsburgh Penguins

According to a report from TSN’s Darren Dreger, defenseman Cody Ceci has signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He’ll be paid $1.25 million, which is low-cost bet for the Penguins but a chance for Ceci to get his game back and elevate his value in the NHL.

Cody Ceci signs a 1 year, $1.25 million deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Good fit for both and opportunity for Ceci to reset like others are doing on short term deals.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) October 17, 2020

With the deal, the Penguins now have $1.318 million in projected cap space and their lone pending RFA left to sign is forward Pontus Aberg.

Essentially, Ceci comes in as a replacement for Jack Johnson and many fans in Pittsburgh are questioning the decision today. Noting this was a real opportunity for GM Jim Rutherford to upgrade at the position, Ceci is being seen by many as not much more than the Penguins standing pat, just with a different player.

Ceci spent this past season with Toronto and his minutes dropped as the course of the season rolled along. In many ways, like Tyson Barrie, Ceci was not what many believed they were getting when he was acquired as he had just a single goal and seven assists in 56 regular season games.

Still, this $1.25 million deal is a low-pressure contract for Ceci who has potential to be much more than he was with the Maple Leafs. Prior to joining the Leafs, Ceci was a suitable defenseman for the Ottawa Senators. He is coming off a one-year, $4.5 million contract and has 33 goals and 126 points in 496 career NHL games.

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