The Los Angeles Kings’ latest defensive signing is raising concerns, and numbers suggest they may already regret the move.
The Kings have signed veteran defenseman Cody Ceci to a four-year, $18 million contract. The deal averages $4.5 million per season and positions Ceci as a key depth piece on the blue line.
However, many analysts believe the contract overestimates what Ceci currently brings to the table and could cost the Kings more than just cap space.
Cody Ceci’s $18M Deal With Kings Could Become a Major Salary Cap Problem
Ceci, now 31, has seen a steady decline in performance over the past two seasons. After struggling during stints with Edmonton, San Jose, and Dallas, his projected value sits well below his new salary.
According to data from The Athletic, Ceci’s on-ice impact in recent years suggests he should be earning closer to $1 million annually, not four and a half times that.
“Ceci wasn’t one of the league’s absolute worst defensemen; he was just grossly overused. A No. 4 who is played like a No. 2 is often going to look like a No. 6, and that’s Ceci’s career in a nutshell,” The Athletic’s Dom Luszczyszyn wrote.
The Kings, however, appear to be betting on his reliability and experience. Ceci played an NHL-high 85 games last season due to overlapping schedules between the Sharks and Stars.
His durability isn’t questioned as he’s topped 78 games in the past four seasons. But availability doesn’t always equal value.
What shocked fans the most wasn’t just the deal’s value, but a wild stat that circulated shortly after the signing: Ceci will surpass Wayne Gretzky in career earnings.
With his recent contract, Cody Ceci has now surpassed Wayne Gretzky in career earnings at just over $50,000,000.
Yes, I know about inflation and how misleading a statement that is but it’s still fascinating that Cody Ceci has made $50,000,000 playing hockey.
— Sergei (@berezin_goal) July 29, 2025
With this new deal, Ceci is projected to reach over $51 million in NHL salary, more than the $46 million Gretzky earned during his playing career. Inflation and salary cap growth explain part of it, but the contrast is still striking.
Kings’ Cap Management in Question After Signing Cody Ceci
Ceci has long been considered a serviceable defender, though he is often miscast in top-four roles. When deployed properly, he’s passable, but when asked to do too much, his flaws become obvious.
In Dallas, Ceci logged heavy minutes after arriving in a deadline deal, but struggled to keep pace, both at even strength and on the penalty kill.
Statistically, Ceci ranks in the bottom percentile for defensive metrics at five-on-five, and his penalty killing has drawn criticism. His lack of power-play impact adds to the concern; he hasn’t notched a single power-play point since the 2018-19 season.
The Kings will likely slot Ceci into a third-pairing role, ideally in a more sheltered position. That might help mask some of his limitations.
But every cap dollar matters for a team aiming to get over the first-round hurdle, after four straight playoff exits at the hands of the Oilers. A contract like Ceci’s makes that job harder.
The Kings, under new GM Ken Holland, are in a retooling phase. This Ceci signing might have been driven more by positional need than long-term strategy. Right-shot defensemen are rare, especially in free agency. Still, it’s a high price for a player whose best hockey may be behind him.
