Kings add Perry, Ceci, Dumoulin in $41.5M free-agent spree
The Los Angeles Kings announced the following signings Tuesday.
- Forward Corey Perry for one year with a $2-million AAV plus $2 million in potential performance bonuses
- Defenseman Cody Ceci for four years with a $4.5-million AAV
- Defenseman Brian Dumoulin for three years with a $4-million AAV
- Forward Joel Armia for two years with a $2.5-million average annual value
- Goaltender Anton Forsberg for two years with a $2.25-million AAV
Perry, 40, spent the last two seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, where he was initially brought in by new Kings general manager Ken Holland. Perry was crucial in Edmonton's run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2024-25, totaling 10 goals and four assists in 22 playoff contests.
The veteran forward has reached the finals six times during his 20-year NHL career. He hoisted the Stanley Cup as a member of the Anaheim Ducks in 2007.
Perry was selected in the first round of the 2003 draft. He has 448 goals and 487 assists in 1,392 career games.
Ceci also spent three years with the Oilers under Holland. He split the 2024-25 campaign between the San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars, tallying 24 points in 85 games. The 31-year-old is a right-shot defenseman and stands 6-foot-3, 210 pounds.
Dumoulin could potentially join forces with Ceci on L.A.'s second or third defense pairing. A two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Dumoulin collected 22 points in 80 games split between the Anaheim Ducks and New Jersey Devils last season. He shoots left, stands 6-foot-4, and will turn 34 years old in September.
Ceci and Dumoulin will attempt to fill the void left by Vladislav Gavrikov, who signed with the New York Rangers.
Armia, a 6-foot-3 right-winger, posted 11 goals and 18 assists with the Montreal Canadiens last season.
Forsberg will likely serve as Darcy Kuemper's backup following the departure of David Rittich. The 32-year-old Forsberg spent the last five seasons with the Ottawa Senators and owns a .904 save percentage in 190 career NHL games.