14°c Overcast
11°c Cloudy with clear breaks
WINNIPEG JETS
Record: 24 – 21 – 3
Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Jets trade Ponikarovsky for draft picks
Alexei Ponikarovsky’s stint as a Winnipeg Jet lasted all of 12 games.
The club announced Wednesday night it has traded the 32-year-old winger to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick in 2013 and a fourth-round pick next year. That move came a few hours after the Jets had acquired forward Eric Tangradi from the Pittsburgh Penguins for a seventh-round pick this year.
Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff said the two moves are linked to one another.
"Upon acquiring (Tangradi) we had the opportunity to open up some roster space and some ice time for him," said Cheveldayoff in a conference call. "He’s 24 years old and we’re very hopeful that he’s someone that, given an opportunity to play in our organization, is going to blossom.
"It was really more about creating an opening and opportunity for Eric as opposed to anything with Alexei."
Ponikarovsky was signed as a free agent by the Jets last summer in the hopes his size and productivity – he averaged better than 20 goals during a five-year stretch from 2005-06 to 2009-10 – would give the club more punch up front. But he managed just two goals and zero assists this season primarily as a third-liner player.
Asked if the Ponikarovsky signing last summer would be called a free agent swing and miss, Cheveldayoff added:
"If you’re worried about taking swings and missing, you’re not going to get up to the plate. You have to try and do some things… Free agency is a time where you look at what’s available, you try and fit some needs and some of them fit and some of them don’t."
Twitter: @WFPEdTait
More Winnipeg Jets
- Back to Top
- Return to Winnipeg Jets
More Winnipeg Jets
(1 of 3 articles for this month)
Vigneault will be a man in demand
05/23/2013 1:00 AM 0View Related
Poll
Most Popular Winnipeg Jets
- Vigneault will be a man in demand
- Catching up with the Jets
- Burmistrov wants out of Winnipeg
- Kane's days are numbered in 'Peg
- Buff just 'sitting around a lot' now
- Jets sign defenceman
- The Great Canadian Hockey Quiz
- Scheifele’s dominance makes Jets look wise
- Jets cut ties to ECHL club
- Winnipeg Jets among most expensive pro teams to watch
- Burmistrov wants out of Winnipeg
- Catching up with the Jets
- Vigneault will be a man in demand
- Ready for prime time
- Kane's days are numbered in 'Peg
- Jets cut ties to ECHL club
- Buff just 'sitting around a lot' now
- Jokinen says Jets a good fit for him
- Jets sign defenceman
- Winnipeg Jets among most expensive pro teams to watch
- Enough of Buff: Get rid of him
- Burmistrov wants out of Winnipeg
- For first time, Jets GM Cheveldayoff is poised to put stamp on the franchise
- Chevy's choice: Stick with Noel or pursue Vigneault
- Young prospects will get every opportunity to stick with the big club: Cheveldayoff
- It's broke - Fix it
- This end-of-season scenario old, and Jets fans and players know it
- It's lucky 13 for the Winnipeg Jets at NHL draft
- Jets' playoff hopes dealt fatal blow
- Scheifele’s dominance makes Jets look wise
- Enough of Buff: Get rid of him
- Winnipeg Jets among most expensive pro teams to watch
- Burmistrov wants out of Winnipeg
- It's broke - Fix it
- Vigneault will be a man in demand
- Summer could be a sizzler
- Chevy's choice: Stick with Noel or pursue Vigneault
- For first time, Jets GM Cheveldayoff is poised to put stamp on the franchise
- Jets' playoff hopes dealt fatal blow
- Something more is required
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.