When the trade deadline approached us a few months back, everyone who writes about the Leafs (myself included) speculated where pending UFA Alexei Ponikarovsky would land.
The Penguins were the front-runner pretty much from the get-go and eventually went on to nab the big winger on the eve of the deadline.
Coming back to Toronto was Luca Caputi, a power forward who was widely regarded as the Penguins top prospect alongside Eric Tangradi.
The Leafs gave him some playing time over the remaining 19 games and Caputi grabbed six points, while keeping an even plus-minus.
Ponikarovsky went on to grab nine points in the 16 remaining games for the Penguins. But in the playoffs he was a non-factor and was even benched for two games.
In the 11 contests he played in, Poni only scored one goal.
Now that the Penguins are finished, it’s unlikely they will re-sign the big winger, as his contract is due to expire and they surely do not want to pay someone who was sent to the press-box when Pittsburgh needed a win.
Burke has won this trade.
The Leafs acquired a prospect who will either help them or ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Ryan Fancey
With Pittsburgh Penguins Ousted, Brian Burke Wins Another Trade
May 15th, 2010 by Ryan Fancey Leave a reply »
Advertisement