The Blackhawks front office have confirmed today that they have been contacted by the Capitals regarding Hawks heavyweight winger, Alexei Ponikarovsky. Nothing has been set in stone yet since trade talks are in the preliminary stages. However, GM Fedigan said that it would be a present-future package including one to possibly two prospective defenseman. Fedigan confirmed that Capitals farm defensemen, Kris Russel and Jack Hillen were mentioned in the talks. These young defensemen would accompany a player with the capacity to aid the Blackhawks in their quest for a playoff berth if Ponikarovsky were to be moved.
The "Ukraine Train" currently plays on the Hawks' top line with Daniel Briere and, another potential player to be moved, David Krejci. In 38 games played, Ponikarovsky has scored 13 goals and 16 assists for 36 points. Ponikarovsky is currently a -8 and plays on the top powerplay unit, as well. The Blackhawks resigned the Ukrainian forward in the offseason to a 4-year extension with a cap hit of just over $1.15 million. Alexei Ponikarovsky is 6'4" 220 lbs. and hails from Kiev, Ukraine. Chicagoblackhawks.com will bring Hawks fans the latest, if any, on this development as well as the Krejci talks of which nothing yet has been confirmed.
