[BE-LEAF-ABLE]

Alexei Ponikarovsky. Originally much criticised, I find that he's beginning to become a very solid forward to this team, if he isn't one already.

26 years of age, and now in 5 seasons under his belt, he's only been getting better the last few years. I found it was when he started playing with Joe Nieuwendyk a few years ago that his game started coming together (2004).

Last seasons he scored 21 Goals, and this year it looks like he's on his way there again (already having 15 in 45), along with 17 Assists for 32 Points. I guess he's not really going to rack up the assists, and he could work on his consistency, but of course it's not only some offence he brings to the table.

It helps that he's one of the best when it comes to corner-work, and he's not afraid to throw his weight and stand in front of the net. I didn't mention his skating, which h does well for his size.

He used to be grouped with Nik Antropov for some odd reason, despite them looking like two completely different players. Though now it seems that it's dying down (no offence to Nik though)

Anyway, what are your thoughts on the player?

Is he getting better, becoming an important part of the team, or is he lacking too much in his game? Would he make good trade bait, and do you think he's in any plans to be shipped out?

 

[Canuck]

First line winger on a team like the leafs. Just give him and Sundin someone else pretty good to play with an you got yourself one heck of a top line

 

[Quintessence]

I think he may be at the peak of his potential. Lets face it, if the Leafs had a decent left winger, Alexei would not be on that line. If they trade him his career may be over (remember Borschevsky?). He has good chemistry with Sundin, but I'm sure the Leafs would rather have someone with more skill on the top line.

Edit: I didn't see the poll... I picked 3rd line winger.

 

[BE-LEAF-ABLE]

I picked Top 6 Winger.

Most of the season he wasn't playing with Mats Sundin, he started off on the 2nd line with Matt Stajan and Jeff O'Neill. When he (or O'Neill) gets hot, one or both of them got put on to the top line.

I'm sure some of us remember the Tucker-Sundin-Wellwood line. That was originally the #1 Line in Toronto.

Even when on the 3rd line with Peca and Kilger (when Steen was sent to the top line to try and get him producing), he still managed to produce some offence.

I don't think being traded would do much to hurt his progression, especially with his style of play and his goals almost always come from in close. He's got tools, and at age 26 he already seems to know how to use them.