Penguins Acquire Ponikarovsky for Skoula, Caputi

The Pittsburgh Penguins have bolstered their offense tonight by acquiring left wing Alexei Ponikarovsky from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for defenseman Martin Skoula and prospect left wing Luca Caputi. Ponikarovsky and Skoula will both be unrestricted free agents this summer. In 61 games this season with the Maple Leafs, Ponikarovsky has 19 goals and 22 assists for 41 points. In 477 career NHL games, all with the Maple Leafs, he has 114 goals and 143 assists for 257 points. Skoula has three goals and five assists for eight points in 33 games with the Penguins this season. In 757 career games with the Colorado Avalanche, Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, and Pittsburgh Penguins, he has 44 goals and 149 assists for 193 points. Caputi has one goal and one assist for two points in four games with the Penguins this season. He also has 23 goals and 24 assists for 47 points in 54 games this season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL. This is a decent trade for both teams, as the Penguins get a three-time 20 goal scorer and the Maple Leafs get a decent offensive prospect in return. The trade was originally going to be Ponikarovsky for Caputi, but the Penguins needed to clear some salary cap space, so the Maple Leafs agreed to take on Skoula and his salary in return. Ponikarovsky will bring lots of offensive depth and goal scoring skill to the Penguins, though he will only be a playoff rental. Skoula will bring plenty of offensive depth and veteran experience to the Maple Leafs' blueline. Caputi has plenty of offensive potential and could likely find a roster spot on the team next season as the Maple Leafs continue to rebuild.