Trade Rumors and Free Agent TalkTrade rumors, transactions, and free agent talk. Rumors must contain the word RUMOR in post title. Proposals must contain the word PROPOSAL in post title.
[NJ/WPG] Alexei Ponikarovsky for 4th pick in 2014 & 7th pick in 2013
The new CBA has a clause in it that requires all trades to involve a seventh-round draft pick. This will prevent future lockouts. Don't ask me how this works.
So we lost his to free agency for nothing and now we're paying picks to get him back not even a year later?
It happens. Ponikarovsky got lost in the shuffle as the Devils were dealing with Parise, Brodeur, Salvador, and even Hedberg. And they possibly wanted to give Tedenby one more chance to earn a permanent spot.
4th isn't a huge loss for a guy that fit in pretty well as a 3rd liner last year. No different than giving up a pick for some other rental except that they have familiarity.
Tom Gulitti @TGfireandice
Lamoriello said they wanted to re-sign Ponikarovsky last summer, but were waiting on another player, and Poni signed with WPG.
Wow. I seriously thought the old thread from a year ago had been bumped.
Ponikarovsky traded to New Jersey by two teams who just signed him in the summer two years in a row. Weird.
I like it for New Jersey though. He played well there last year and Devils fans have been missing him. Now with Zubrus out, Ponikarovsky brings a little offense and fills a bottom-six spot. Not too sure why Winnipeg shipped him out so soon but he wasn't playing terribly well anyway and I guess they'd rather have the picks and just got Tangradi; maybe they want to let him play and saw Ponikarovsky as taking a spot so they shipped him out of town.
For everyone asking why now? The biggest thing is the Devils just found out Zubrus might be out anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks, so they need a big body forward to step in. Enter Poni.
It's too bad, I liked seeing Toronto's line of the future as Winnipeg's 3rd line (Wellwood, Poni and Antropov).
__________________
Dan O'Toole: "So if I have this right, only acceptable goal celebration in NHL is to put hands at your sides and then feel shame."
For everyone asking why now? The biggest thing is the Devils just found out Zubrus might be out anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks, so they need a big body forward to step in. Enter Poni.
It's too bad, I liked seeing Toronto's line of the future as Winnipeg's 3rd line (Wellwood, Poni and Antropov).
Tom Gulitti @TGfireandice
Lamoriello said they wanted to re-sign Ponikarovsky last summer, but were waiting on another player, and Poni signed with WPG.
The other player was Parise
So, Zach cost us a pair of picks. Thanks for nothing, Zach.
Meh! Not really surprised. Ponikarovsky was okay, but wasn't great. JETS essentially get Tangradi and a 4th for him.
Earlier today I was speculating on the JETS board that other deals could be in the works for guys like Poni, Wellwood, Miettinen and possible even Thorburn. Still expect at least one more to be moved by the trade deadline.
What would really be funny is if Ponikarovsky signed in Winnipeg again this summer LOL
Poni fit into our system very nicely.. And he was absolutely solid in our run to the Finals.. It was sad we couldn't resign him and had to send some picks to get him back, but this Devils team is in "win now while Marty is still solid" mode
Couldn't be happier.. I hope they're selling his shirt at Friday's game in the team store lol
Meh! Not really surprised. Ponikarovsky was okay, but wasn't great. JETS essentially get Tangradi and a 4th for him.
Earlier today I was speculating on the JETS board that other deals could be in the works for guys like Poni, Wellwood, Miettinen and possible even Thorburn. Still expect at least one more to be moved by the trade deadline.
What would really be funny is if Ponikarovsky signed in Winnipeg again this summer LOL
What would be more hilarious would be if the Devils ended up trading for him again next year.
He'll be the first player in history to sign a NTC that only applies to one team!
Wow surprised at the Devils in here not knowing why Poni wasn't resigned. He didn't want to wait for the Parise situation to end, can't blame Poni or Lou for that.
Poni fit into our system very nicely.. And he was absolutely solid in our run to the Finals.. It was sad we couldn't resign him and had to send some pics to get him back, but this Devils team is in "win now while Marty is still solid" mode
Couldn't be happier.. I hope they're selling his shirt at Friday's game in the team store lol
An important consideration is he already knows the system and he'll be able to step right in.
It happens. Ponikarovsky got lost in the shuffle as the Devils were dealing with Parise, Brodeur, Salvador, and even Hedberg. And they possibly wanted to give Tedenby one more chance to earn a permanent spot.
4th isn't a huge loss for a guy that fit in pretty well as a 3rd liner last year. No different than giving up a pick for some other rental except that they have familiarity.
Like you said, familiarity here was another important thing. They got a player back who they know and who played well for them before. Holds a clear advantage over someone else they would try for the same price and role.
Ponikarovsky is now more of a bottom-six player but he can move up into the top-six in a pinch if need be. Just shouldn't be there all the time. New Jersey really needed someone though with Zubrus going down and Ponikarovsky will help them, wherever he's going to be playing in the lineup. Gives the Devils a little bit of offense, some size, and a player who can play decently defensively and who is a good fit in their bottom-six. Good trade for both teams really. Jets got some picks for someone who they evidently thought they didn't need now that they traded for Tangradi today too. Like I said, they probably want to let him play and by giving up Ponikarovsky they can do that in addition to stockpiling some more picks.
