Cody Ceci was on the afternoon show on TSN 1200 Tuesday afternoon, and he acknowledged the fact that he still was not guaranteed to be on the Ottawa Senators when training camp is over this fall. That is because the Senators, assuming they re-sign Eric Gryba, will have 7 defensemen on 1 way contracts. Ceci is still on a 2 way entry level deal.

Normally and for most team, this would not be an issue, but the Senators history of frugality raises the question about whether or not the Senators will ice the best possible lineup or if financial considerations will force the hand.

Ceci still has some work to do to reach full potential, but remember he is still just 19 years old. However, with Erik Karlsson, Marc Methot, Jared Cowen, Patrick Wiercioch, Chris Phillips, Gryba and now Mark Borowiecki (whose 2 way deal becomes a 1 way this season) set to be on the roster, Ceci might just have to be the odd man out and bide his time until an injury occurs.

There is also the possibility that one of the other 7 might be dealt before training camp and remove any question about Ceci. There isn’t much possibility that the Senators will carry 8 blueliners and it is even less likely that they will pay someone (Borowiecki) a major league salary to play in the minors.

Ceci fast-tracked to the NHL last season faster than anyone had expected, and that resulted in the current jumble. He probably wasn’t in the plans as a full-time NHLer this season and he has shown that he is NHL ready, thus creating a log-jam.

Too many defensemen is a good problem to have, and it is entirely possible that Cody Ceci might end up being on the outside looking in come October. If only for a minute.