On January 20 last year, the Devils initially acquired role player/journeyman Alexei Ponikarovsky from the Carolina Hurricanes for a fourth-round pick and a low-level minor leaguer (Joe Sova).  Barely a year later, the Devils re-acquired Ponikarovsky from Winnipeg for a fourth-rounder in 2014, and a seventh rounder this year.  Ponikarovsky was a FA-to be last season – and this one.  I know GM Lou Lamoriello likes to re-acquire and bring back former players, but this is quick and weird deja vu even for him.

Of course, there are reasons for this – chief among them the wrist injury to Danius Zubrus which will require exploratory surgery and have the key role player out anywhere from two weeks to two months.  Considering in this season two months = almost the entire regular season, the Devils needed depth up front.  I was initially surprised that Winnipeg would give up Ponikarovsky so soon given how much the Southeast is up for grabs, but apparently the recent trade they made for former top Pens prospect Eric Tangradi played into their willingness to let us re-acquire the big winger.

After a good regular season with us and some key playoff moments (getting a point on every one of our four OT goals), Ponikarovsky left the Devils last summer partially to play with buddy Nik Antropov in Winnipeg.  Also there was speculation – fueled by Ponikarovsky himself after he left – that Lou was waiting around for things to finalize with captain Zach Parise one way or another.  Speculation Lou himself confirmed upon re-acquiring Ponikarovsky.

For his part, Ponikarovsky was ‘surprised and excited at the same time’ to be headed back to New Jersey, then adding, ‘I know the team, I know the way they play and I think a lot of the things that were done in the past kind of suits me’.  Ponikarovsky will make it to New Jersey in time to play in Friday’s game against the Flyers at the Rock.  Ironically, Poni’s first game for the Devils last year was at home against the Flyers.  Someone’s got a sense of humor.