Ten teams want Ponikarovsky
As many as 10 teams are interested in trading for Alexei Ponikarovsky, TSN's Darren Dreger reports, and it will cost them at least a second-round pick. Dreger adds that it will be a trade that happens in the narrow trading window after the Olympics and before the March 3 trade deadline.
The Pittsburgh Penguins soon may be interested -- though -- because some people in the organization think he would be a nice fit with Evgeni Malkin, the Toronto Sun reports. They may be the favorites at this point, but it will be interested to see if the Leafs demand their first rounder, since they will likely be picking late in the draft. Previously, Leafs GM Brian Burke hinted that he wouldn't be able to get a first rounder for Ponikarovsky, which surprised CBC's Elliotte Friedman. But it might also be an indication that Burke has tried to finagle a first rounder out of a suitor and failed.
Another possible destination is the Atlanta Thrashers. ESPN.com's Scott Burnside writes, "Thrashers GM Don Waddell said Thursday night he'll be a buyer assuming his team stays in the hunt, and Ponikarovsky has played with Thrashers forward Nik Antropov. Hmm."