Ceci’s contract was negotiated right? Or was it an arbitrator’s ruling?

It wasn't arbitration. Just a guess, the Sens and Ceci had an verbal 4.5m 1 year contract agreement. Leafs and Sens made the trade and verbal agreement was formalized.
Can the Leafs still buy him out this summer?

Yeah that was kind of my point. I wouldn’t think so. Also if they could I’d think most mid level players, guys making 4-6M a yr, would now think long and hard about signing with TOR. It wouldn’t be a good look to sign a player just to buy him out because you rather have an OLDER player.

IMO the Leafs have almost zero percent chance of signing Shattenkirk anyway. Leafs kinda need Ceci right now especially with Dermot out for a few months. Let's see what Ceci can do playing on a good team with a good defence partner either Reilly or Muzzin. I really don't understand all this distain for Ceci.

I don’t either. Once EK left he’s was the shutdown guy playing top minutes with most d zone starts. That probly shouldn’t be his role.

Negotiated is my understanding. They both agreed to the same term and salary as last year which leaves him as a UFA next year and potential for bigger money and term should he play well

Don't get me wrong. I want to see Ceci do great. I'd like to see him stay and resign with his age, shot, and able to play minutes.

I simply did this once I realized Cap Friendly would let me as a way to sign Marner's closer to what he wanted money wise and closer to the term Toronto wanted. Hence "Short Term Fix". It got Marner signer and Shattuck is mere an inexpensive 3rd pair with experience and a lesser role/pressure on a "Shoe me what you can do" or "rebound" contract. Any cheap reliable D would work

Ceci is on a show me contract. That’s why it’s 1 year taking him to UFA.

Here’s a suggestion. Delete nylander then re create him in your agm signed at 8.5m. Then remember that players don’t get what they ask for. By the same token neither do GM’s. Just my two cents. Everyone was sure that Matthews was getting 13m+ and marner 8.5m and now marner at 11m+.

Props for noticing ceci’s buyout. I mentioned it too a few users here trying to retain on his contract. He’s all salary no bonus. Which is very strange. Might go with what @palhal was talking about with this deal being in place from the sens. Could also be a no trade insuruan e as well too. Cody ceci for 700k in real money would not be a bad acquisition.