Cody Ceci, D
In the 2025 offseason, the Kings signed the former San Jose Sharks and Edmonton Oilers defenseman Ceci to a four-year, $18 million contract. This was the most expensive contract the Kings signed in unrestricted free agency this past summer in 2025.
The defensive pairing of Dumoulin and Ceci was the least effective pairing for the Kings on the blue line this past regular season.
Like Dumoulin, Kings' fans had mixed reactions to the signing of Ceci due to the term and financial commitment handed to an older defenseman with limited upside.
The biggest concern with Ceci isn't just that he struggled in his first season in Los Angeles. It's also that he has three years remaining on his current contract with the Kings.
Ceci did provide some value moving the puck up the ice in transition and into the offensive zone, but his overall results alongside Dumoulin were disappointing. He also finished up with the worst plus/minus rating among Kings defensemen this past regular season.
At 32 years old entering the upcoming 2026-27 season, Ceci shouldn't be expected to see significant development or upside at this stage of his NHL career. The Kings don't need him to become a completely different player, but they do need better results on the blue line from a defenseman carrying a sizable $4.5 million annual cap hit through the end of the 2028-29 season.
While both Ceci and Dumoulin have multiple years remaining on their current contracts to change the perception of these signings, neither deal has provided for particularly encouraging returns for the Kings.
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