Carolina Newcomers: A Closer Look At Alexei Ponikarovsky

by Bob Wage on Aug 19, 2011 11:00 AM EDT in Hurricanes Newsstand

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 8: Alexei Ponikarovsky #27 of the Los Angeles Kings fights for position in front of the net with Toni Lydman #32 and goalie Dan Ellis #8 of the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on April 8, 2011 in Anaheim, California. The Ducks won 2-1 to clinch a berth in the playoffs. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

The Carolina Hurricanes surprised a lot people when they went out and signed Alexei Ponikarovsky on the first day of free agency this past July 1. Jim Rutherford said that the original plan was to put the Ukraine native on the first line with Eric Staal and Erik Cole, but of course Cole ruined that strategy when he bolted for more money and moved on to Montreal.

Still, Ponikarovsky will most likely be given every opportunity to develop some chemistry with Staal.

The big winger is mostly known for his physical positioning in front of the net. He had a disappointing, injury filled season last year playing for the Kings, but he claimed that those injuries were behind him when he signed in July. As a matter of fact, last season he produced the lowest (points per game) total of his career.

Once again, we'll ask someone who watched the winger play every game last year for some perspective. Eric Cooney, who blogs for Pro Sports Blogging.com, was nice enough to provide his take for us.

Alexei Ponikarovsky

#23 / Left Wing / Carolina Hurricanes

Height: 6-4

Weight: 226

Born: Apr 09, 1980

From Eric Cooney:

Ponikarovsky had a down year offensively for the Kings for sure, but a large part of it was circumstance. The Kings searched all season long for a 1st line LW to play with Kopitar and never found one, Ponikarovsky was just one of the casualties. Once it was clear that Ponikarovsky wasn't clicking with Kopitar there was nothing left but the 3rd or 4th line for him since Ryan Smyth was solidified as 2nd line LW. On top of that, Ryan Smyth was also the net-front man on the PP for the Kings, which is where Poni is most effective, so that reduced his PP time and point totals as well. His linemates for most of the year were Michal Handzus and Wayne Simmonds, who both had down offensive years as well. Add to that the 21 missed games due to injury and you get the picture that Ponikarovsky simply never got into the groove in Los Angeles.

Despite the rather forgettable year, Poni impressed me with several areas of his game. First, some might attribute the "European" stereotype on Poni and suggest he's inconsistent or soft. Neither is true. Poni registered 139 hits in just 61 games, good enough for 4th on the Kings behind hitting machines like Dustin Brown and Matt Greene. While not particularly fast, he isn't slow for a man who is 6'4"/230 lbs. He isn't afraid to go to the dirty areas and fight for the puck. Go on NHL.com and watch every one of Poni's goals as a King and you'll notice they all happen within 5 feet of the net. He's by no means a sniper but he's great at picking up the garbage and turning it into a goal. To that point, Poni needs to be with guys who put the puck at the net in order to score, since he won't be picking corners anytime soon.

However, if that facet of his game isn't working he is still a valuable player. The thing Poni impressed me with most was his effort every night. He never let it get to him that he was demoted, he never hung his head or blamed the coach. He went out and did whatever the Kings asked of him, be it try to create offense or dig the puck out of the corners. When Kopitar went down for the playoffs and the Kings were looking for sparks from anyone, Poni had a few good games where he created offense with his effort. Poni's numbers from his days in Toronto may be inflated due to the lack of talent at the time, resulting in more ice-time for him. So it's better to think of him as a grinder with some scoring touch, rather than an underachieving scorer.

Perhaps being reunited with his old coach from Toronto in Paul Maurice will reignite his scoring touch. The effort and the desire to win are there for the big man, whether he can still find the scoresheet or not is a question left unanswered in L.A.

Can Ponikarovsky return to his Toronto form? Paul Maurice did breath life back into Jussi Jokinen's career after the Finn, at one time, was put on waivers by Tampa Bay. Now Jokinen is one of the more dependable scorers on the Canes.

Before his stint in Los Angeles, Ponikarovsky lit the lamp at least 21 times in four of the previous five seasons. The Canes will be looking for more of that and can certainly use that big body in front of the net during the powerplay.

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	GWG	SOG	PCT
2010-11 - Alexei Ponikarovsky	61	5	10	15	1	36	1	1	94	5.3
2009-10 - Alexei Ponikarovsky	77	21	29	50	-1	61	5	1	184	11.4
2008-09 - Alexei Ponikarovsky	82	23	38	61	6	38	5	3	185	12.4
2007-08 - Alexei Ponikarovsky	66	18	17	35	3	36	1	1	150	12
2006-07 - Alexei Ponikarovsky	71	21	24	45	8	63	6	1	198	10.6
2005-06 - Alexei Ponikarovsky	81	21	17	38	15	68	2	3	157	13.4

This could be another "low risk, high reward" signing for Rutherford, who has made his fair share over the years. The winger signed a one year deal worth $1.5 million.

Alexei Ponikarovsky is just one more reason why this will be a very interesting training camp.

(A big thank you to Eric Cooney for his contribution to this article.)

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Comments

Bravo to EC & Bob

I too don’t thnk the guy is a wimp or a push over..this move to the canes like with the Juice is or could be what the Doctor ordered !! but and yes I’m excited he is here ,but time will tell if he fits or not..but my hope is that he does ..as and after all he has what the Canes do need !! Thanks Guys…this fan appreciates the energy and efforts..

What did you do during the summer when the playoffs are over ?
Go Canes & Checkers !!

by CaniacSteve on Aug 19, 2011 11:50 AM EDT reply actions

Great write-up

Thanks Bob and EC. Ponikarovsky sounds as though he’ll fit in here based on effort and attitude to go along with size and a measure of skill.

by curiouscanesfan on Aug 19, 2011 12:06 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

"Cole ruined that strategy when he bolted for more money"

What?!?! I thought reading all the Cole posts on Canes Country that poor Mr. Cole was absolutely forced to move on to Montreal, that he in effect had no choice. How dare you infer that he bolted!

[sarcasm switch turned off]

Seriously, this is a great write-up, and AP could turn out to be the shizzle on the first line with Staal. JR could look like a genius (again), and it has raised my hopes ever so slightly just thinking about the possibilities.

Of Maurice, Karmanos said: "I’m happy Paul is back but he’s going to be judged the same way as any other coach. We need to win more consistently."

by Sergeant Stinky on Aug 19, 2011 12:25 PM EDT reply actions

the key is going to be getting a set-up guy on that line.

by Go_Shelf on Aug 19, 2011 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Jussi? He can be that set up guy. I don’t have a ready answer for who takes his place on the 2nd line. Cory “the plumber” Stillman is still out there and would be a cheap option for a good set up guy. I don’t know if the Canes want to pay for the negatives that come with his age though.

by 210beer on Aug 19, 2011 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions

for sh**s and giggles

staal-AP-jokinen
skinner-ruutu-dalpe
sutter-dwyer-stewart
larose-samson-tlusty

Of Maurice, Karmanos said: "I’m happy Paul is back but he’s going to be judged the same way as any other coach. We need to win more consistently."

by Sergeant Stinky on Aug 19, 2011 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think you want to break-up Ruutu-Skinner-Jokinen. Stillman might not be a bad fit. Also, definitely flip-flop Dwyer & Larose. Dwyer doesn’t belong on anyone’s 3rd line.

by Go_Shelf on Aug 19, 2011 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Many would claim LaRose doesn't either.

Advance apologies if the contents of this sports-based post offended you. I'm just aiming to educate the masses. My law professor says they're asses.

Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!

by MichaelProcton on Aug 23, 2011 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

I like it. I just don’t see anyone else (other than Jokinen) on the current roster to play on the first line with Staal. Ruutu has first line talent but doesn’t have the finess of Jokinen. He and Poni would have the same roll on that line. And I really don’t see any of the young guys ready for prime time yet. I’m not drinking the Boychuk Kool-Aid. He’ll have to come into camp much stronger than last year AND Poni will have to work well and take up some space to make up for Boychuks lack of size.

by 210beer on Aug 19, 2011 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions

In comparison, I don’t think we’re going to have a very productive 1st line, other than Eric Staal we don’t really have anyone else who’s 1st line calibre, but I think that going to be ok because our 2nd & 3rd lines will be among the best. Because of this Sutter, Skinner, Ruutu, Larose, and Jokinen all need to put up at least 20 goals average, which I don’t think is out of the question, they’re going to need to put up at least 225 goals next season.

by Go_Shelf on Aug 19, 2011 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions

I like the sarcasm switch. Mine seems to be broken and won’t turn off.
Seriously though, it will be interesting to see if Ponikarovsky works on a line with Staal. Somebody needs to do some effort in the dirty areas on that line and we know it won’t come from Staal.

by 210beer on Aug 19, 2011 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Poni’s not an ideal replacement for Cole on Staal’s line but I think he can work. The major reason why he had such a low point total in LA was because he was glued to the third/fourth line in Terry Murray’s system. His only responsibilities were to work hard and play defense, which he did but unfortunately he couldn’t score. He was still solid territorially last year even though he didn’t score a lot, so I’m hoping that he can thrive with more ice-time here like he did in Toronto.

www.shutdownline.com

by MyFriendCorey on Aug 19, 2011 12:45 PM EDT reply actions

Optimistic..

This would seem to be as close to a can’t lose pickup as i’ve seen lately!!
Everybody wanted a BIG BODY addition to the team, and specifically on Staal’s line… and now that’s a fait-accompli, while we lost Cole that doesn’t change that!! IMO we’ll see what guy (if any) fits in on the rt. wing with Poni/ Staal at camp, and only then go out and get another rt. winger if necessary???
I see playoffs in our immediate future!!

by randycane on Aug 19, 2011 12:58 PM EDT reply actions

Nice collaboration you two!

Canes Country Phoblographer and resident Finn Aficionado
SISU

by Jamie Kellner on Aug 19, 2011 1:32 PM EDT reply actions

Ponikarovsky

It comes as no surprise to many at Canes Country to find out that Ponikarovsky was on my short list of big-bodied forwards that I wanted the Hurricanes to acquire. I have been watching his game closely for several years. He is exactly what the Hurricanes need in terms of being big, fast, and skilled. He does not throw his weight around like a jumbo-sized Ruutu; but he does not play a soft game by an stretch of the imagination. I think in conjunction with the addition of Stewart, the Hurricanes are going to have the ability to put lines together that are big, fast, and physical.

Additionally, Ponikarovsky seems to be one of those players who prospers under Maurice’s coaching style. I suspect we will see some shifts of Ponikarovsky/Staal/Dalpe as the coaches experiment with appropriate lines for the new players. Maurice may well go with a Boychuk/Sutter/Ponikarovsky line before the season is out.

by abramsdoug on Aug 19, 2011 1:37 PM EDT reply actions

Players thrive under Maurice???

LIES AND DECEIT!

Advance apologies if the contents of this sports-based post offended you. I'm just aiming to educate the masses. My law professor says they're asses.

Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!

by MichaelProcton on Aug 23, 2011 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Glad I could help, Bob!

I would definitely consider this a low risk, high reward signing for the price. I’m anxious to see if Poni will be another Carolina reclamation project.

www.prosportsblogging.com

by Great Ice-Pectations on Aug 19, 2011 1:55 PM EDT reply actions

If Ponikarovsky rediscovers his game the way Jokinen did, the Hurricanes will be in “high cotton” so to speak. I think we will see Jokinen score around 22 to 30 goals this season; and especially if the Skinner/Ruutu/Jokinen (or as I see it the Jokinen/Skinner/Ruutu) line remains intact. I suspect the first line and the third lines will be far more fluid in their composition than the second line.

by abramsdoug on Aug 19, 2011 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions

i’m kinda feelin the same thing about the first and third lines. now if we can keep rosie down on the fourth line we might have something…

Of Maurice, Karmanos said: "I’m happy Paul is back but he’s going to be judged the same way as any other coach. We need to win more consistently."

by Sergeant Stinky on Aug 19, 2011 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

If LaRose is on the 4th line and the 4th line gets decent TOI, LaRose will do his share of scoring while also running the other team ragged. In fact, maybe the biggest advantage to having LaRose on the 4th line would be that PM would play it more.

by curiouscanesfan on Aug 19, 2011 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Chicken or the egg?

Yes, the fourth line would be better, so it would see more ice time. It’s not like simply playing a bad trio on the fourth more often is a good idea.

Advance apologies if the contents of this sports-based post offended you. I'm just aiming to educate the masses. My law professor says they're asses.

Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!

by MichaelProcton on Aug 23, 2011 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions

I think Carolina will be much improved and may surprise everyone in the SE division including the Caps

by capsfnva on Aug 19, 2011 2:24 PM EDT reply actions

The only thing I don’t think your GM should’ve done was get Brian Boucher

by capsfnva on Aug 19, 2011 2:25 PM EDT reply actions

why?

by Go_Shelf on Aug 19, 2011 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions

because he stunk in Philly

by capsfnva on Aug 19, 2011 2:41 PM EDT reply actions

A 2.42 gaa and an 0.916 sv% in 34 games is stinking?

For the price, you can’t really beat that. The guy is a consumate back up who can take the reins for a period of time if need be.

Don't trust me. I have psychological issues.

by C-Leaguer on Aug 19, 2011 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions

he’s got a couple of years with some pretty terrible sv %

by Go_Shelf on Aug 19, 2011 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions

He’s also a got a career win percentage in the playoffs of over 0.500. That’s hard to argue with.

Don't trust me. I have psychological issues.

by C-Leaguer on Aug 19, 2011 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

he’ll be fine, he’s only going to see 15-20 games vs 34

by Go_Shelf on Aug 19, 2011 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

He stunk as a starter. He was solid as a back-up.

by hurricane9 on Aug 20, 2011 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

As a backup, there's no reason he shouldn't be more than capable.

Advance apologies if the contents of this sports-based post offended you. I'm just aiming to educate the masses. My law professor says they're asses.

Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!

by MichaelProcton on Aug 23, 2011 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions

he stuck in the playoffs last season

by capsfnva on Aug 19, 2011 2:48 PM EDT reply actions

he won’t see any playoff games.

by Go_Shelf on Aug 19, 2011 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions

you don’t think so? What if Ward, (who I might add is a great goalie) gets injured?

by capsfnva on Aug 19, 2011 2:54 PM EDT reply actions

most teams are screwed if they lose their starting goaltender.

by Go_Shelf on Aug 19, 2011 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions

We'll still be better off than we would have been with Peters.

Advance apologies if the contents of this sports-based post offended you. I'm just aiming to educate the masses. My law professor says they're asses.

Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!

by MichaelProcton on Aug 23, 2011 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Who’s your pick for the division this season

by capsfnva on Aug 19, 2011 2:56 PM EDT reply actions

Caps win..

Same as last year! make PO lose 1st or 2nd rd…. no heart!!

by randycane on Aug 19, 2011 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I think Carolina will be slugging it out with TB for the 2nd place with all the good moves your GM made, Brian Boucher being the lone exception

by capsfnva on Aug 19, 2011 3:16 PM EDT reply actions

Boucher better..

Ward plays most of the games (barring injury), and Bouch better than Peters. The offense should be a bit better, and TB/ Canes will both make PO somewhere between 4-7!!

by randycane on Aug 19, 2011 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions

I think you guys are going to be slugging it out with TB for 2nd place

by capsfnva on Aug 19, 2011 3:19 PM EDT reply actions

Dude...

The reply button is right underneath the comment.

Advance apologies if the contents of this sports-based post offended you. I'm just aiming to educate the masses. My law professor says they're asses.

Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!

by MichaelProcton on Aug 23, 2011 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t see FL or Winnipeg doing anything

by capsfnva on Aug 19, 2011 3:19 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed..

Yeh, I expect them to be baaaaaaaaaaaaaddddd!! lol

by randycane on Aug 19, 2011 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions

disagree, I think Winnipeg’s going to be a special team this year. Yes, they have a good not great roster, but they’re going to playing in front the of loudest fans in the NHL and they’ll rally around what happened Rypien. It’s going to be tough to get a win in that barn.

by Go_Shelf on Aug 19, 2011 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions

who FL & Winnipeg

by capsfnva on Aug 19, 2011 3:30 PM EDT reply actions

yeh

by randycane on Aug 19, 2011 3:33 PM EDT reply actions

yeh I don’t see them doing anything except fighting it out to see who ends up in the basement

by capsfnva on Aug 19, 2011 3:42 PM EDT reply actions

Who are the beasts in the East?

by randycane on Aug 19, 2011 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Unless Crosby doesn’t come back 100 % (which pains me to say it) you gotta put them in the mix along w/ Boston/Wash/TB. I can see Carolina turning the corner, (hell you guys missed it by 1 game last year), but I don’t think they can sustain a long playoff drive

by capsfnva on Aug 19, 2011 3:54 PM EDT reply actions

but I don’t think they can sustain a long playoff drive

2 words why they can if they get in Cam Ward.

by Go_Shelf on Aug 19, 2011 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions

And another two:

Track record.

Advance apologies if the contents of this sports-based post offended you. I'm just aiming to educate the masses. My law professor says they're asses.

Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!

by MichaelProcton on Aug 23, 2011 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions

who do you think

by capsfnva on Aug 19, 2011 3:56 PM EDT reply actions

Well...

I see Was, Bos, Pit, TB, Car, Buf, Mon, and Phi… in that order!!

by randycane on Aug 19, 2011 4:01 PM EDT reply actions

Playoffs..

Don’t forget when we make them we are TOUGH!!

by randycane on Aug 19, 2011 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Buffalo’s going to be tough, especially their dcore, which has to be the best in the EC. I think you have to put them in the top 4

by Go_Shelf on Aug 19, 2011 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Well Boston's better..

Wash. and Pit are my division leaders, and after that it’s a horserace!! TB and Car could be better, or as good… we’ll see!

by randycane on Aug 19, 2011 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Hopefully we don’t draw another division rival like we did last year

by capsfnva on Aug 19, 2011 4:03 PM EDT reply actions

Stay gold Poni boy

"It was the best of times, it was the blurst of times..."

by Gramm Matthew Esq. on Aug 19, 2011 4:06 PM EDT reply actions

“You can’t win. You know that, don’t you? It doesn’t matter if you whip us, you’ll still be where you were before, at the bottom. And we’ll still be the lucky ones at the top with all the breaks. It doesn’t matter. ~~Greasers~~ Caps will still be ~~Greasers~~ Caps and ~~Socs~~ Canes will still be ~~Socs~~ Canes. It doesn’t matter.”

2 years to the Cup

by Caniac233 on Aug 19, 2011 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions

CLASSIC

Oh boy.. that just made my day!

"It was the best of times, it was the blurst of times..."

by Gramm Matthew Esq. on Aug 19, 2011 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I feel the canes

did get a “quality” back up…goalie…and i stand by my earlier post…Go Canes !!

What did you do during the summer when the playoffs are over ?
Go Canes & Checkers !!

by CaniacSteve on Aug 19, 2011 5:10 PM EDT reply actions

Maybe he can pick up all of Staal’s botched wrap around attempts.

Satan is just a coping mechanism for monotheists.

by wilmnoca on Aug 20, 2011 1:28 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Maybe they’ll change the nets to 40inch deep and Staal will start succeeding more on these.

by jfhammon on Aug 20, 2011 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I have to correct Eric a bit here — Poni wasn’t brought in to play on the 1st line, he was brought in to play on the third (checking) line with Handzus, to replace Frolov. That is where he began the season, and that is where he spent most of his time.

Basically what happened is the Kings loaded him up with tough competition, and changed his role to focus on defense. It should be no wonder that he didn’t score as much on that line, but he also had a dose of truly awful shooting luck as well (he went from a career 12% shooter to little over 5% with the Kings and Pens). He got a lot of flak from Terry Murray, but honestly, sometimes he would be scratched even after good games. I don’t think our coach used him effectively, and seemed blind to the fact that changing his role would affect his production.

I think in the right situation he could get his confidence back and rebound.

In Dinglebarn We Trust -- JftC

by Niesy on Aug 22, 2011 1:40 PM EDT reply actions