It is official, the Maple Leafs have traded left winger Alexei Ponikarovsky to the Pittsburgh Penguins for prospect Luca Caputi and the expiring contract of defenseman Martin Skoula.
Ponikarovsky would most likely be lined up with Sidney Crosby. In 61 games this season, Ponikarovsky has 19 goals and 22 assists. In 477 career games, he has 114 goals and 143 assists, for 257 points. He’s a big guy at 6’4″ and 220 pounds, but he’s not a physical player.
Caputi was drafted by the Penguins in the 4th round, 111th overall in 2007. The 6’3″ left winger is from Toronto. In 54 AHL games this season he’s scored 23 goals and added 24 assists, to go along with 61 PIM. In 9 NHL games the last 2 seasons, he’s scored 2 goals and added an assist. He gives the Leafs a potential top 6 forward that has some good size.
