Devils Acquire Alexei Ponikarovsky from Hurricanes

The New Jersey Devils have announced that they have acquired left wing Alexei Ponikarovsky from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for defenseman Joe Sova and a fourth round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft. In 50 games this season with the Hurricanes, Ponikarovsky has eight goals and eight assists for 16 points. Sova has two goals and two assists for four points in 14 games with Albany of the AHL. He has also appeared in 18 games with Kalamazoo of the ECHL, scoring two goals and five assists for seven points. Not a bad depth move for the Devils, as Ponikarovsky will bring some two-way skill and offensive ability to the forward lines. More than likely, he will play on the team's third line for the remainder of the season. As for the Hurricanes, the subtraction of Ponikarovsky will give one of their younger forwards an opportunity to step up in the second half of the season. As for Sova, he is really just a depth acquisition for the team and will likely remain in the minors for the remainder of the season.

Hurricanes Add Brian Boucher and Alexei Ponikarovsky

The Carolina Hurricanes have announced that they have signed goaltender Brian Boucher to a two-year contract worth $1.9 million and left wing Alexei Ponikarovsky to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million. Boucher's deal will pay him $950,000 per season. In 34 games last season with the Philadelphia Flyers, Boucher posted an 18-10-4 record, with a 2.42 GAA, and a .916 save percentage. Ponikarovsky appeared in 61 games last season with the Los Angeles Kings, scoring five goals and 10 assists for 15 points. These aren't bad depth signings for the Hurricanes, as both players will bring plenty of veteran depth to their respective positions. Boucher gives the team a solid backup goaltender to starter Cam Ward, while Ponikarovsky brings some offensive ability and two-way skill to the forward lines. The Hurricanes are likely hoping Ponikarovsky will be able to replace some of the offense lost to the team with the departure of Erik Cole to Montreal. However, his offensive game has declined over the past few seasons, so he likely won't be able to replace Cole's offensive output.

Kings Sign Free Agent Forward Alexei Ponikarovsky

Just hours after losing Alexander Frolov to the New York Rangers, the Los Angeles Kings found his replacement by signing left wing Alexei Ponikarovsky to a one-year contract worth $3.2 million. In 77 games last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Pittsburgh Penguins, he had 21 goals and 29 assists for 50 points. He added one goal and four assists in 11 playoff games with the Penguins. This is an interesting signing for the Kings, as they paid a little bit more to land Ponikarovsky, who is definitely not as good offensively as Frolov. Sure, Ponikarovsky has some offensive ability and is a capable two-way forward, but the Kings probably would have been better off retaining Frolov. However, after losing Frolov, Ponikarovsky was probably one of the most suitable left wings left on the free agent market to fill Frolov's place, so this signing works for the Kings.

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.