The Edmonton Oilers have traded veteran defenseman Cody Ceci and a 2025 third-round draft pick to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for prospect Ty Emberson. This move comes shortly after the St. Louis Blues extended offer sheets to Oilers’ RFAs Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway. Ceci, who has one year remaining on his $3.25 million contract, was a key part of Edmonton’s defense last season. Let’s break down the impact of this trade for both teams.
The Oilers’ Perspective
By trading Ceci, Edmonton has freed up $2.3 million in cap space, which is crucial given that the team is currently $5.9 million over the salary cap. This move likely positions the Oilers to make another roster adjustment to retain either Broberg or Holloway. While Ceci played alongside Darnell Nurse on the second defensive pair for much of last season, he was eventually surpassed by Broberg during the Oilers’ Stanley Cup run. As a result, moving Ceci may not significantly impact the Oilers’ defense, especially if they can hold onto Broberg.
Ty Emberson, who made his NHL debut last season with the Sharks and recorded 10 points in 30 games, is expected to start the season in the AHL. At 23 years old, Emberson is unlikely to play a major role for the Oilers this season.
The Sharks’ Perspective
For the rebuilding Sharks, this trade is a strategic move to leverage their ample cap space by acquiring additional assets. Taking on Ceci’s contract in exchange for a third-round pick aligns with San Jose’s focus on accumulating future assets as they develop their young talent. The Sharks are expected to continue making similar deals over the next few seasons as they rebuild.
What’s Next?
The Oilers now have just two days to decide whether to match the offer sheets for Broberg and Holloway or let them go. With the cap savings from the Ceci trade, Edmonton is likely exploring further moves to retain one of their RFAs. The outcome of this situation will be crucial in determining the Oilers’ roster strategy moving forward.
