Penguins ink Ceci to 1-year, $1.25M deal

The Pittsburgh Penguins signed defenseman Cody Ceci to a one-year contract worth $1.25 million, the team announced Saturday.

The 26-year-old spent last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs after signing a one-year, $4.5-million deal with the club. He recorded one goal and added seven assists in 56 games.

"Cody is a two-way defenseman who plays with size and a speed game that fits our system well," general manager Jim Rutherford said. "He brings both regular season and playoff experience, and can be utilized on the penalty kill."

Ceci's play seemed to drop off in Toronto after the rearguard's consistently solid presence for the Ottawa Senators over six seasons to begin his career. He ranked at the bottom of the Leafs' roster in possession numbers, recording a 50.22 Corsi For percentage at five-on-five, and a 50.87 expected goals for percentage.

The Senators selected Ceci with the 15th pick in the 2012 NHL Draft. He's registered 33 goals and 93 assists in 496 career games.