When it comes to jaw-dropping salary revelations in the NHL, few stories have ever matched the sheer disbelief surrounding Cody Ceci’s latest contract milestone.

In a league where legends are forged and fortunes made, it would seem impossible for a third-pair defenseman—often overlooked and rarely celebrated—to quietly out-earn the greatest hockey player of all time.

Yet, as a recent statistic has revealed, that’s precisely what’s happened.

Cody Ceci, a name seldom associated with All-Star accolades or record-breaking feats, is now at the center of a financial shockwave that’s rippling through the world of hockey.

By the end of his current deal, Ceci will have amassed more career earnings than Wayne Gretzky, the very icon whose name is synonymous with greatness in the sport.

How did a player with modest stats and minimal power-play time manage to surpass the lifetime earnings of a generational superstar?

What does this say about the state of NHL contracts and the value placed on “replacement-level” defensemen today?

The answer is as surprising as it is unsettling—and it’s a story that every hockey fan will want to see unfold in full.

Photo credit: Sportsnet

A stunning salary stat has surfaced, and now reveals just how overpaid Cody Ceci has been throughout his NHL career.

It almost sounds made up, but it’s completely true.

By the end of his current contract, veteran defenseman Cody Ceci will have earned more total money in the NHL than Wayne Gretzky.

Yes-that Wayne Gretzky.

The stat was highlighted in a piece by a user on X, showing that Ceci’s career earnings will top $51 million, compared to Gretzky’s $46 million over his two-decade run with the Oilers, Kings, Blues, and Rangers.

How Cody Ceci’s career earnings have quietly surpassed the greatest hockey player of all time

Ceci, who signed a four-year, $18 million contract with the Los Angeles Kings this summer, has now become a $50 million player on paper.

This despite the fact that he’s never hit 30 points in a season, has rarely played top power-play minutes, and was recently named one of the NHL’s worst-value contracts by multiple outlets.

An analyst told The Hockey Writers:

«It’s not about Ceci being bad. It’s about what the league pays for replacement-level defense these days.»

Wayne Gretzky, meanwhile, played over 1,400 games, changed the sport forever, and retired in 1999 with what was then considered enormous lifetime earnings.

But even with inflation adjustments, Ceci’s final total will technically be higher.

«This is just the world we live in. It’s shocking, but it’s not even rare anymore.»

Ceci may not be a superstar, but between long-term contracts in Ottawa, Edmonton, and now LA, he’s quietly become one of the league’s most overpaid depth defenders.

I still can’t believe a third-pair guy has out-earned the greatest player in hockey history.