Jan 10, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; San Jose Sharks defenseman Cody Ceci (4) passes down the ice against the Utah Hockey Club during second period at the Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images

nhl

Canucks and Sharks Explored Trade for Cody Ceci

Vancouver Canucks and San Jose Sharks reportedly discussed a potential deal involving defenseman Cody Ceci.

The San Jose Sharks were close to trading defenseman Cody Ceci, a pending unrestricted free agent, to the Vancouver Canucks before ultimately sending him and Mikael Granlund to the Dallas Stars over the weekend. David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported Tuesday that Ceci was considered a backup option for Vancouver if their blockbuster trade plans fell through.

The Canucks had finalized a major deal Friday, sending J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers and using the first-round pick they received to acquire Marcus Pettersson and Drew O’Connor from the Pittsburgh Penguins. However, discussions about Ceci had progressed to the point where some within the Sharks organization believed he was heading to Vancouver earlier in the day, according to Pagnotta.

Canucks, Sharks Discussed Cody Ceci Tradehttps://t.co/GhJxNbP75V
— Pro Hockey Rumors (@prohockeyrumors) February 5, 2025

Despite landing Pettersson, the Canucks are still looking to strengthen their defense, particularly on the right side. Ceci, now in Dallas, fit that need, and Vancouver is rumored to be exploring options to offload left-handed defenseman Carson Soucy. Soucy has been playing on his off side, but the Canucks may prefer a more cost-effective solution behind Filip Hronek and Tyler Myers.

With over $12 million in immediate cap space, Vancouver is looking to maximize flexibility for contract extensions with key players like Brock Boeser, Pius Suter, and Kevin Lankinen. Soucy, who has one year left on his contract with a $3.25 million cap hit, might be moved to free up room.

Another potential target for the Canucks is Montreal Canadiens defenseman David Savard. Savard carries a slightly higher $3.5 million cap hit but is on an expiring deal. With salary retention, he could fit Vancouver’s plans, though they’d need to act quickly. Montreal may want to flip Savard before the trade deadline to make room for younger players like Logan Mailloux and David Reinbacher, who are pushing for NHL roles next season.

Image Credit: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images

Cody Ceci

NHL

Anamika Shrivastava

nhl

I’ve always loved writing and storytelling, and hockey gives me a perfect stage for endless stories to tell. Whether it’s breaking down a game, analyzing a big trade, or capturing the emotions on the ice, I bring the NHL to life through words. So what’s the best part you ask? Watching the action unfold and turning it into something fans can connect with. To my readers: Hockey is more than just a game—it’s the highs, the heartbreaks, and the moments that make us jump off our seats. So, keep cheering, keep debating, and never stop loving the madness of the sport!