Kings sign Ceci to four-year deal; add Perry, three others
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The Los Angeles Kings loaded up on the opening day of NHL free agency, reaching deals with five veteran players, including Corey Perry.
In addition to bringing in Perry for his 21st NHL season, Los Angeles is signing defencemen Cody Ceci and Brian Dumoulin, along with forward Joel Armia and goaltender Anton Forsberg. The team made the announcement on each contract Tuesday afternoon.
Ceci joins the Kings on a four-year, $18 million deal that carries a $4.5 million cap hit, while Dumoulin receives a three-year, $12 million deal with a $4 million cap hit.
Perry gets a $2 million contract for one year that includes salary bonuses that can take the deal to about $3.5 million.
Forsberg signs for two years and $4.5 million ($2.25 million cap hit), while Armia receives a two-year, $5 million deal ($2.5 million cap hit).
Perry, 40, recorded 19 goals and 30 points in 81 games with the Edmonton Oilers last season. He added 10 goals and 14 points in 22 playoff games before his team was eliminated in the Stanley Cup Final.
The 6-foot-3 winger is coming off a one-year, $1.4 million contract.
Drafted 28th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in 2003, Perry has 448 goals and 935 points in 1,392 career games split between the Ducks, Dallas Stars, Montreal Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning, Chicago Blackhawks, and Oilers.
The two-time first-team all-star helped the Ducks win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history in 2007, recording six goals and 15 points. Perry also won the Hart Trophy and Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy in 2011 after recording 50 goals and 98 points in 82 games.
Ceci, 31, finished last season with the Dallas Stars after he was acquired, along with forward Mikael Granlund, from the San Jose Sharks for two draft picks on Feb. 1.
He had four goals and 24 points in 85 games last season split between the Sharks and Stars while averaging 21:13 of ice time.
Ceci added three assists in 18 playoff games while averaging 21:31 of ice time before his team was eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference Final.
The 6-foot-3 right-shot defenceman is coming off a four-year, $13 million deal with an annual cap hit of $3.25 million.
Drafted 15th overall by the Ottawa Senators in 2012, Ceci has 52 goals and 235 points in 871 career games split between the Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins, Edmonton Oilers, Sharks, and Stars.