SAN JOSE — The San Jose Sharks partially helped the Edmonton Oilers out of a tricky spot on Sunday night — and got a future asset for their troubles — acquiring defenseman Cody Ceci plus a 2025 third-round draft pick for defenseman Ty Emberson.
Faced with the prospect of losing two of their top young players to the St. Louis Blues via offer sheet, and already $7.25 million over the NHL salary cap of $88 million, the Oilers have been looking to trade Ceci, 30, to clear space.
By trading Ceci for Emberson, the Oilers will save roughly $2.3 million under the cap, potentially giving them a better chance of retaining 22-year-old forward Dylan Holloway and 23-year-old defenseman Philip Broberg, who signed offer sheets with the Blues last week.
Holloway’s two-year deal with the Blues carries a $2.29 million cap hit per season. Broberg’s two-year contract is worth $4.58 million a year. The Oilers have until Tuesday to decide whether to match the Blues’ offer for one or both players, or let them walk for draft pick compensation.
Ceci’s salary cap hit for the upcoming season is $3.25 million. He is a pending unrestricted free agent in 2025.
With Ceci, the Sharks now have another veteran right-shot defenseman they can potentially flip at next year’s NHL trade deadline. Other right-shot defensemen on the Sharks roster include Jan Rutta and Matt Benning.
The Sharks now have four picks in the first three rounds of next year’s draft — two of their own and two from other teams. The Sharks received Vegas’ 2025 first-round pick when they traded Tomas Hertl to the Golden Knights earlier this year.
In 786 NHL games with Ottawa, Toronto, Pittsburgh, and Edmonton, Ceci has 211 points (48 goals, 163 assists) and 170 penalty minutes.
Ceci has also played in 88 Stanley Cup playoff games with Ottawa, Toronto, Pittsburgh, and Edmonton and has 19 points.
“Cody is a solid, competitive veteran defenseman who brings a well-rounded skill set to our group,” Sharks defenseman Mike Grier said in a statement. “He’s a strong penalty killer who can also contribute offensively and he brings extensive playoff experience. We’re excited to have him join our organization.”
The six-foot-three, 210-pound Ottawa, Ontario native was originally selected by Ottawa in the 2012 NHL Draft (first round, 15th overall).
Emberson appeared in 30 games with San Jose in 2023-24 after being claimed off waivers from the New York Rangers on Sept. 30, 2023. He posted ten points (one goal, nine assists) and six penalty minutes.
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