3 teams the Oilers should call regarding Cody Ceci at the trade deadline

The Sabres would be a great trading partner should the Oilers push for Casey Mittelstadt

It might be smarter for the Sabres to keep Casey Mittelstadt, but if the Oilers make a strong offer involving a veteran defenseman and other assets, they will listen. Although the Sabres are a more physical and overall better defensive team in 2023-24 than they were last season, they still haven’t done enough, and Ceci would also give them that presence for the remainder of this season and next year. 

While Ceci is not as physical as he’s been in the past, he’s still a hitter who can play top-four minutes. He also loves to get in front of would-be shots on goal. Ceci has 77 blocks this season, and once again, the Oilers goaltenders are benefiting from his on-ice presence. 

Sabres netminder Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has taken a massive step forward in his own development, but at times, poor defense still means the occasional pedestrian game for the 24-year-old. If someone like Ceci, whose on-ice save percentage is 92.0 at even strength and at 5-on-5, respectively, lands in Buffalo, expect Luukkonen’s numbers to improve even more. 

Buffalo’s penalty kill has been excellent, albeit inconsistent in 2023-24, and Ceci’s presence shorthanded is another plus for the Blue and Gold. He may be an older player, but Ceci would nonetheless bring some value to Buffalo in many areas of the game.