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Ottawa Senators agree to two-year deal with Cody Ceci

By Dave Stevenson

Apr 2, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Cody Ceci (5) skates with the puck against the Philadelphia Flyers during the second period at Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Cody Ceci (5) skates with the puck against the Philadelphia Flyers during the second period at Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Ottawa Senators have signed restricted free agent defenseman Cody Ceci to a two-year deal worth $5.6 million.

After a busy offseason that saw the arrival of a new general manager and a new head coach, the Ottawa Senators have been working on extending defenseman Cody Ceci. They have now agreed to a two-year deal worth $5.6 million. Ceci’s annual cap hit is $2.8 million and his contract runs through the 2017-18 season. He will receive $2.25 million in 2016-17 and $3.35 million in 2017-18. Ceci will be a restricted free agent after the 2017-18 season.

From NHL.com:

"Ceci, 22, established new NHL career highs in goals (10), points (26) and penalty minutes (18) while matching his career high for assists (16) over 75 games with the Senators during the 2015-16 season.An Ottawa native, Ceci has registered 56 points (18 goals, 38 assists) and 38 penalty minutes over 205 NHL games, all of which have occurred with the Senators. He also has two assists over six NHL playoff games."

With Ceci’s contract out of the way, the Senators have no more restricted free agents remaining. According to General Fanager, they have roughly $6 million of cap space depending on who is on their roster.

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Ceci should play an important role for the Senators in 2016-17. He had a career best 26 points in 75 games for the Senators last season with a career high ice time of 19:18 per game. That could increase to over 20 minutes in 2016-17 depending on how the Senators deploy fellow defenseman Dion Phaneuf.

This is a very reasonable deal. Ceci has done enough to warrant a bridge contract. At the same time, he hasn’t done enough to warrant a significant contract. This satisfies both sides. It allows Ceci to prove himself and get a bigger contract after the 2017-18 season while not costing the Senators much money.

In order to earn his next contract, Ceci must improve his puck possession numbers. He had a -4.7 percent Corsi For percentage last season at even strength.

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