Devils Acquire Ponikarovsky

Ponikarovsky with the Hurricanes in 2011

The New Jersey Devils made a small move on Friday, trading minor league defenseman Joe Sova and a 2012 4th round draft pick to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for forward Alexei Ponikarovsky.

Ponikarovsky brings some scoring depth to the Devils, who needed help on the 3rd and 4th lines. This trade, along with the return of Travis Zajac after the All-Star break could make the Devils a solid four line threat.

This trade also allows the Devils to either send down or trade struggling second-year player Mattias Tedenby. Tedenby, who has only one goal, could be traded at the deadline for a defenseman.

After this season, Ponikarovsky's contract expires, and depending on his performance, could be brought back for around the same cap hit, which is $1.5 million.

Ponikarovsky's status for Saturday's game against Philadelphia is still up in the air, as an impending snowstorm could affect the status of scheduled flights.