Yeah they could, if Ceci agreed to it, but why would he walk away from over $2m of salary they still owe him for the rest of the year.

Then why'd Kovy agree to it? He was being paid 6.25 mil

he got most of his money out his contract already in signing bonuses. Rest of this season was only a base salary of 700k and next year he was 4m in salary with no bonus. 14m out of his 18.75m 3 year contract is already in his pocket,

Kovi also values playing for the cup over the money he had left to make in LA. He's still a decent player just not the superstar he once was and was on a loosing team

What coga16 said, but also Kovalchuk hasn't played in over a month and would rather make the minimum salary and play, than to make 4.5M+ next year and sit.

There is a big difference. Kings must think Kovi is pretty useless if they are are going to absorb his cap this year and next for not playing
Fact is Ceci hasn't been nearly as bad as CapFriendly posts, and it's not like the Leafs have a replacement for him. It's like the Habs and their bottom end players. Sure they would to some guys to disappear but until you have a replacement that is better, you just can't bury them or buy them out.