Alexei Ponikarovsky is reportedly joining the Kings on a one-year contract, and I should be able to get details shortly. Ponikarovsky, 30, is listed at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, and is a left winger (a native of Kiev) who has been in the NHL for parts of nine seasons, with Toronto and Pittsburgh. He’s a four-time 20-goal scorer who, statistically, had his best season in 2008-09, when he had 23 goals and 38 assists in 82 games.
Some video clips of Ponikarovsky from last season can be found here.
Isn’t he Ukrainian? Or I guess, was the Ukraine part of the USSR when he was born there or something? Ah, who cares. As long as his cap hit is miniscule.
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PRMan Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
@Lanny McDonald’s ‘Stache,
Kiev or Kyiv (Ukrainian: Київ [ˈkɪjiw]( listen); Russian: Киев); see also Cities’ alternative names), is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine…
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hockeysister Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
@Lanny McDonald’s ‘Stache,
Uhm, Kiev is capital of Ukraine…
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Lanny McDonald's 'Stache Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:10 pm
@hockeysister,
Rich’s post originally said he was Russian. He since changed it. I’m aware Kiev is in Ukraine.
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Rich Hammond Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
@Lanny McDonald’s ‘Stache,
This is true…I didn’t see the original comment.
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wavesinair Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:31 pm
Actually, he’s Canadian.
No really, he is.
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Was kind of hoping for two years, but that’s okay. The price tag should be a little lower than Fro’s.
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poni-zues-simmons a big boy who likes to crash the net.Or you think he’ll be on 2nd or 1st line anyone
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Matt R Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:10 pm
@murf, Since he and Smyth are pretty much our only two left wingers right now, I’m saying 1st or 2nd unless DL makes more moves.
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John Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
@Matt R,
Don’t forget Clifford, Moller & Kitsyn as possibles.
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Born in Kiev, so Ukrainian definitely. But that city was in the USSR when Poni was born there.
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Seems like he is a lot like Frolov, a streaky scorer that put’s up Frolov’s bad year like numbers. He must have come cheaper than Fro, or Fro really burned his bridge here.
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Puckn-A Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
@HB Kings Fan #99, You got that backwards, he was a loyal King they burned the bridge with him.
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HB Kings Fan #99 Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
@Puckn-A, I’m referring to the recent negotiations and statements by his agent, as well as his uneven performance and seeming effort on the ice for years. You must feel he did not deserve to be benched? Also, interviews with management showed he never had a killer instinct to win, which is what it takes to win the cup. Especially when you are the oldest King setting an example for the younger players.
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hockeysister Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:01 pm
@Puckn-A,
A loyal King who came to play when it suited him, and whined whenever he didn’t get his way. So long, Loafy, hello Poni boy.
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PakiFro Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
@hockeysister,
Whined? When?
Last offseason when Rich asked Kopi and Brown and Fro what the team needed to improve, Kopi and Brown said the team needed help on the wing. Fro said he himself needs to improve…after scoring 32 goals from the third line.
When he was benched, he said that he needs to be better. The guy literally NEVER whined. there was zero evidence of that. He may have been enigmatic or “loafing” or whatever..but he didnt whine once in his career with the kings.
The amount of big strong bodies on the LA Kings is really adding up. We’ve gotta be a tough, tough team to play against even if we’re not the best group of natural goal scorers.
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ArmChairKingsFan Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
@Lanny McDonald’s ‘Stache,
I agree with the big and strong bodies, but this team NEEDS 5-5 scoring to get past the first round, heck the second if the goalie steals round one. That is still the bane of this team. I like that Poni fills the Fro void on the 3rd line, but still looking for that top-six guy IMO
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Bryan Agee Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
@Lanny McDonald’s ‘Stache,
And slow.
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hockeysister Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
@Bryan Agee,
He’ll do much better than Frolov if they fit him with the right line. He did well on a lousy team in Toronto, just not so well in limited play in Pitts where he played on a line that had a bad year.
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number 6 Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:48 pm
@Bryan Agee,
That’s OK. The team’s slow so he’ll fit in nicely. Sorry to be sarcastic but this doesn’t deserve to be on the highlight reel of DL’s finest moments.
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John Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 7:30 pm
@number 6,
HOW do you know this??
Ponikarovsky-Handzus-Simmonds on paper is a great shutdown line! If they turn into that on the ice??
D wins championships, is all I have to say.
With Bernier most likely making the team, we may have one of the best goaltending tandums in hockey! Add a shutdown line to that & we’re, by definition, a better team.
I’m starting to really agree with the small cap hit for Poni. After watching the highlights, he was a little underwhelming. Looked like Fro-V2. Yes he has size and skill, but I don’t see him filling a top-six spot. He could be a beast on the 3rd with simmer and zues.
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John Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 7:31 pm
@ArmChairKingsFan,
EXACTLY why we got him.
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–Po-ni-ka-rov-sky!–
My favorite NHL name!
…Not my favorite NHL player…
–Enigma alert!–
–Enigma alert!–
–Enigma alert!–
Why in the Jumpin’ Je-ho-se-fats did the Kings sign an enigma, just after letting another enigma go? And, this enigma is probably LESS TALENTED and OLDER than our old enigma?
–ARGH!–
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Erik4Kings Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy,
I’ve been saying it all day on Kings FB…seriously disappointed in our offseason as of right now, and it kills me because I love Dean and our team, but this is just a horrible use of an amazing season last year…
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AEG likes this move..only a 1 yr contract.
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Streaky forward. Scores in bunches and goes dry for games on end. Big body I like, quick wrists, quick shot, seems to have nose for the puck. He doesn’t control the puck like Fro does. Avg speed. Looks good on the pp. I would be happy with 20/60 and really happy with 25/75.
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Just looking at some video highlights of Poni. On four separate occasions, against the Atlanta Thrashers (Kovi’s old team…had to throw that in) Poni scored back to back goals 32 seconds apart, 28 seconds apart, 1:20 min apart and 5:07 min apart. Kinda weird. He has some great legs, though.
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Another “bridge player” until next season when the next big FA becomes available which Lombardi will fail to sign.
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chuckrocks Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:09 pm
@Joe Dirt, Amen to that.
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BluLine77 Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
@Joe Dirt,
Well said.
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Big Mike on D Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
@Joe Dirt, Yeah get on DL. He is a disaster (sarcastic). Kovi wanted to much money. DL did his best. Stop being cry baby. Kovi wasn’t worth it anyway.
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The only way this makes sense is if he plays on the third line and we’re not done yet. If this is it we’re so boned…we still need a 2nd line LW and top 4 D-man. I like the fact we have 14 guys to play on the third line though, sweet deal.
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Chekc out the 5th highlight down vs. Atlanta. Beauty goal with a beauty feed from Mr. Kaberle… we could get em both… if the price is right.
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Tookie Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
@VanKingsFan,
Yeah, because we want to emulate Toronto…they were good.
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number 6 Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
@Tookie,
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From Darren Dreger at TSN
Poni. 1 year. $200,000 signing bonus. $3 MIL salary with Kings.
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This is basically a wash. Sacrificing a few goals from Fro for slightly better defense from Poni.
My guess is that Poni is going to be at 4 mil next year. The natives will complain because they’ll feel Poni is overpayed, but I like the one year deal since next summer is a crucial one for the Kings.
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Vahe Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:11 pm
@RealDrew,
Who will the Kings fail to sign next summer?
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Is Kaberle still out there?
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3 mil plus $200,000 signing bonus…. RIP OFF!!!!!!! This guys is not worth more than frolov! Dean, you have really started to lose my faith in you. This isn’t a good upgrade over frolov, a slight downgrade in fact…
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
@goodguy,
More than a slight downgrade!
Don’t expect much from this chronic UNDERACHIEVER.
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Joey Drillings Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:11 pm
@goodguy,
So better our second line be Ilya (who wanted to be a Devil), Fro, who didn’t want to play her or David Meckler. I’ll take Ponikarovsky.
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goodguy Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
@Joey Drillings,
My point exactlly. Dean is failing… The reason he has to “build from the draft” is that no top notch player wants to play for his team. We are in trouble. Losing home grown talent every summer all the while unable to lure top players = FAIL! (this is coming from a former Deano koolaid drinker)
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Alen Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
@Joey Drillings, Can you blame Frolov for not wanting to play here after what DL and TM did to him? I’m glad Frolov will be playing with the Rangers. I hope he puts up 30 next year like you know he would here if half the time TM was benching him and putting him on the 4th line. Frolov > Brown. Better offensively, better defensively.
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King John Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
@Alen,
Looks like Frolov will spend time playing with Gaborik, so maybe he will break out! 30+, anyone?
Space_Shot Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:17 pm
@goodguy,
Who said Frolov was willing to sign in LA for $3MM? Most likely Frolov was willing to take less from NYR because it gives him a new system and coaching staff to work with, with the hopes of getting his stats back up for a long term $4.5-$5MM contract next summer. The market wasn’t willing to pay him what he wanted this summer, and Dean wasn’t willing to overpay for a guy that wasn’t willing or able to do everything he was asked of by the staff.
Poni is a 1 year deal and will have no affect on the ability to bring in another player or two if they think they need it and will have no affect on the ability to sign any of the kids. It simply fills the void Frolov left for next season.
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Sign Stempniak,trade for Kabela,and with Poni we won’t be known as the west coast Flyers,we’ll be the west coast Leafs,hehe.Anthonyy and WWAMD would love that.I would try him on a line with Kopi,it’s got to better than what he had in Toronto.We do need a game changer though,and I don’t think that Poni is it.
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number 6 Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
@LVKINGS88,
and then you do What exactly w Smyth??
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3 mil… dear god no
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@RealDrew
I agree, this is basically a wash. Hopefully the Kings are not done in this signing period. We still have a few crucial gaps to be filled, including another winger for the top line, and another solid defense man. There are still options out there, and I don’t think Lombardi is finished just yet.
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I am really bummed about losing Fro
I am gonna have to take a break from this offseason, it has just sucked the life out of me. I wanted Fro back more than I wanted Kovalchuck. I just don’t get Dean’s mindset on Fro and then grabbing Poni?????? WTF??????? Does he like to piss the fans off with his signings and non-resignings( Frolov, Moulson)? I just would love to hear his spin on this. Losing faith one day at a time.
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So is this Deans “big splash” in the free agent market………woooohoooo im pummped….oh wait, no Im not. Did you here that? That was the rest of the NHL teams laughing at us……..Wow Dean you really showed Frolov……not.
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AZ King Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
@chuckrocks,
Dude, how many times can you say the same thing over and over again. We get it: you’re pissed of, bitter, and resentful of DL, TL, AEG, blah blah blah. Why don’t you apply for a GM job somewhere and show us all how it should be done, or better yet go be a fan of one of the other teams you say are laughing at us (28 of which didn’t get Kovi either).
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sstephen17 Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:56 pm
@chuckrocks, You should change your name to QQ because that’s all you seem to do here.
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I DO AND HAVE LOVED FRO. BUT FRO UNDERPERFORMED UNDER THE LACK OF PRESSURE IN LA. I THINK HE’LL FIZZLE EVEN WORSE UNDER THE LIGHTS, BUT IF HE DOESN’T, GOD BLESS HIM, HE’S IN THE EAST. PONIKAROFSKY, I THINK, HAS ALWAYS HUSTLED AND PLAYED UNDER A MICROSCOPE IN TORONTO. PERHAPS HE’LL GET LIT UP OUT HERE WHERE NOBODY WILL KNOW HIM. IN A WORST CASE, WE SWITCHED BIG RUSSIAN (MAYBE LAZY) FOWARDS FOR A YEAR. ME LOVE YOU LONG TIME FRO.
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I’m so ready to see Frolov tear it up with the Rangers and flip the bird to Dean aha I’m gonna miss him. I’m happy I got to meet him last year before he was gone. :[
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At first it sounded good until i seen he’s going to make more tha fro.PONI=3.2ml FRO=3ml WHAT HAPPEND????
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Alen Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
@murf, DL got played all of ufa season and overpaid. I wouldn’t say he overpaid by much. I thought he’d get 2.5-2.75 when they announced it. It’s a replacement but I still think Fro > Poni. I’d like to think DL thought Frolov wouldn’t work well with TM but it’s painfully obvious that Frolov said no to DL and went where he thinks he’ll have more top 2 minutes and probably be able to put up more points and get more money next UFA season.
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$3 million is a bit much, but I don’t see why everyone is so up in arms about it. Not like we’re using that cap room on anyone else this year.
Let’s see if Ponikarovsky makes a splash here. In our system he’s a better fit than Fro because he plays better defense. 61 points in Toronto two years ago and a + for all six of his seasons there… I’d be satisfied with 55 points and no time in TM’s doghouse.
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Alen Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
@Eric K, Would you be satisfied if Frolov puts up 70+ in NY and Ponikarovsky puts up about 60 here? Because that is what WILL happen.
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sstephen17 Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:57 pm
@Alen, Fro might put up those numbers but the Rangers probably don’t make the playoffs again so it won’t matter.
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Lanny McDonald's 'Stache Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
@Eric K,
Well, DL did say he would probably try and add to the team via trade rather than FA. So, I guess I’m holding out hope that since we’re out of the Kovy sweepstakes, we can keep our cap situation nice and manageable in case DL pulls an awesome trade out of his rear for a couple legit impact players. Wishful thinking… although 3MM won’t kill our cap room, it just feels like we overpaid 500-750k for this player based on my awareness of him. I could be wrong though.
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I like this signing very much. For one year, you get to test drive the product before you buy. If it’s a no go, then that salary comes off the books.
I am not sure why everyone is worried about 3 mil. Hell, Zeus gets 4!! And the important thing is, we still have lots of space.
Some people in the last thread were talking about the Kings trading for Gaborik. I have not seen anything about that; does anyone have word?
We still need someone on the left of AK and a defenceman. It might not happen, but I suspect the Kings are thinking about Kaberle, especially after watching the posted vids.
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WEAK!!! Stating the obvious, we could have kept our home grown guy that was 2 years younger and put up better numbers for the same $$ ? WEAK!!!
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I believe this is a good signing for the Kings. Although, I am upset that Fro left, Poni just goes to the net HARD and he’s very responsible defensively. I saw his highlights and he will fit in great with our guys. The PP is going to be awesome this year. With Zeus and Poni crashing the net, creating havoc for other defenses, we will be successful. This is how we scored most of our PP goals against VAN in the playoffs. VAN had no answer for ZEUS, Modin, and Simmer. Now add Poni to that list, our PP is going to be very dangerous this year. I hope that we can add an other winger and maybe a solid defenseman, if DL can do that than we are in great shape. I can’t complain with this signing. I can already tell that I’m going like Poni this year. He just fits our style. I can’t wait for our season to start!! Lets go Kings!!
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Good luck whit him..he is ½ good of Frolov.When you have a chance to play whit Crosby Or Malkin and you are unable to put pts on board…mean something.I never like him and in my book he is overated.
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I loved this video. Not many highlights and its all silliness but made me happy about getting him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oINuqLe1brY&feature=youtube_gdata
Something about this url. I’ll repost if necessary.
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This has been said about Fro but isn’t it possible, if not likely, that Poni will do better with a change of scenery? If he’s a hard worker and plays defensively he could flourish.
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OH boy! An older, lesser version of Frolov. Wow, what a signing! And he took a shorter, lower priced salary, oh wait…I guess the Kings tatoo on his butt looked nicer, oh wait… I’m so thrilled I could puke.
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with all due respect to those that know hockey here (waves, quisp, etc) and with a stiff up yours to all the whiners that THINK they know hockey and blather forth such stupid idiotic comments i will no longer be reading anything other than the news that Rich posts. Thanks Rich it been real but i cant take the bullshyt anymore. Go Kings!
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i knew of Poni from his days in TORONTO and Pittsburgh but had never really watched his game i watched some film of him after i heard of the signing and im pretty excited to see what he can bring to the Kings hes fast he keeps his feet moving and just seems to play harder than Frolov did
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…sort of reminds of when we got Kevin Stevens and lost Rick Tocchet…
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