Penguins Complete Puzzle, Sign Ceci

While scanning the Penguins’ roster the other day, I had an inkling Jim Rutherford had one more move up his sleeve. An instinct that proved correct when the Pens’ GM signed right-shot defenseman Cody Ceci, late of Toronto, to a one-year deal yesterday for $1.25 million. A move that’s already drawn howls of derision from other blogs.

The reason? At first blush, Ceci appears to be a 26-year-old clone of the recently departed and much-maligned Jack Johnson. Eerily so.

Like Johnson a former high draft pick, Ceci was taken 15th overall by Ottawa in the 2012 Entry Draft. He has size (6’2” 210) and an inclination to use it (a career-high 163 hits in 2017-18). He blocks shots (eighth in the league with 171 in ’17-18) and is reputed to be a good penalty killer.

Although not especially fast or mobile, the Ottawa native’s flashed some offense in the past (10 goals in ’15-16 and seven in ’18-19), a part of his game that seemed to evaporate with the Maple Leafs last season (a lone goal and eight points). While more suited to a third-pairing role, he has skated on the top-pairing in the past with none other than Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson. He’s fairly durable and a minutes muncher to boot, averaging 21 minutes of ice time per game over his seven-season NHL career.

There are other similarities to Johnson. Most not so good. Ceci’s career Corsi is 46.1…JJ’s by comparison a lofty 47.0…although it pretty much matches Cody’s career o-zone starts percentage (45.7).

Now for the truly ugly. Ceci finished dead last on the Senators in each of his last four seasons in Ottawa in 5-vs-5 shot attempts differential, totaling a horrific minus-1170. In fact, Ceci was the worst player in the league in that category two seasons running (’17-18 and ’18-19).

Remarkably, he logged a respectable plus-10 in 5-vs-5 shots differential with the Leafs last season, so there is hope that his prior numbers were at least in part driven by how he was used, not to mention the fact that he skated for a poor Sens squad.

The good news? Ceci’s signed to a one-year deal, so if he doesn’t pan out we’re not wedded to him long-term. Too, Cody was paired with another black-and-gold newcomer and likely defense partner, Mike Matheson, during the 2016 IIHF tournament, helping Canada capture the gold.

“We did play together a little bit at that tournament,” Ceci said. “It will be nice to see him again. Maybe get a chance to play together again. We could be a pretty good (defensive) pair, so who knows?”

Undoubtedly what GMJR is hoping.

On the surface, another former high draft pick and reclamation project for new Pens defense coach Todd Reirden, who carries a reputation for being a miracle-worker when it comes to restoring damaged goods. Let’s hope (and pray) he succeeds.

Penguins Sign Miletic

The Pens signed Sam Miletic to a one-year, two-way contract for the $700,000 league minimum. In his two pro seasons with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, the 23-year-old left wing has tallied 21 goals and 67 points in 111 games. He was the Baby Pens lone all-star game selection last season.

The 6’0” 197-pound Michigan native has yet to play in the NHL.

The move leaves the Pens with one unsigned RFA, Pontus Aberg. Acquired from Toronto in the Kasperi Kapanen trade, the speedy Swedish forward currently plays for Traktor Chelyabinsk in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League.