Former Maple Leafs Defenseman Surprisingly Surpasses Career Earnings of Wayne Gretzky

In July of 2019, the Maple Leafs and their Atlantic Division rivals, the Ottawa Senators, made a six-player trade. As part of that deal, the Leafs dumped the contract of Nikita Zaitsev and acquired Cody Ceci.

The now 31-year-old Ceci only lasted one season in Toronto before joining the Pittsburgh Penguins the following season. Ceci's time in Toronto wasn't terrible, but was far from good, as he was often ridiculed online for mistakes that opponents would capitalize on.

The 2012 first-round pick skated in 56 games for the Leafs during the COVID-shortened season, tallying 1 goal and 8 points, but is mostly known for his atrocious missed shot against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the play-in round.

After a stop in Pittsburgh, Ceci spent three seasons with the Edmonton Oilers before splitting last season with the Dallas Stars and San Jose Sharks. On July 1st, Ceci signed a 4-year, $18M deal with the LA Kings, which, once complete, will bring his career earnings to slightly more than $49M.

While many stars have made an exuberant amount of money over there careers, compared to Wayne Gretzky, it comes as a surprise that by the end of Ceci's current contract, the often maligned NHL defenseman will surpass Gretzky's reported career NHL earnings of $46M.

Yes, there is inflation and the league has grown exponentially, but considering many thought Ceci's career was coming to an abrupt end a few years ago, it is quite remarkable that the Ottawa native has remodeled his game and been able to find his niche on what will be five different teams since his time in Toronto.