The Penguins have lost one of their steadiest defenders through free agency.

Defenseman Cody Ceci, who reinvigorated his career last season, has signed a four-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers that carries a salary cap hit of $3.25 million.

A free agent signing in October of 2020, Ceci appeared in 53 games and scored 17 points (four goals, 13 assists), second-most among the Penguins’ defensemen last season.

After largely struggling in 2019-20 as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ceci signed a one-year deal with the Penguins worth $1.25 million.

For most of the 2020-21 season, the right-handed Ceci manned the right side of the Penguins’ second defensive pairing along with left-handed partner Mike Matheson.

Averaging 18 minutes, 31 seconds of ice time, Ceci, 27 ,was one of the team’s leading penalty killers with 2:32 of short-handed ice time per contest.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Ceci was also one of the team’s more physical defensemen with 74 hits.

With his departure, right-handers Mark Friedman and Chad Ruhwedel are the leading in-house candidates to replace him in the lineup.

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