Alexei Ponikarovsky is off the free agent market, agreeing to a one year deal with the Los Angeles Kings. The deal is worth slightly under $3 million per season.
After a disappointing playoff run with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ponikarovsky saw a slow market develop, signing 27 days into free agency. Interest though began to pick up in the past week. The Kings who reached out to Ponikarovsky early into free agency, turned their attention backed to Ponikarovsky after losing out on Ilya Kovalchuk.
On Monday Inside Pittsburgh Sports learned, Ponikarovsky was considering his first offer of free agency and was moving closer to finding a new home.
The 30-year old forward had 21 goals and 29 assists in 77 games last season, playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Pittsburgh Penguins.
Ponikarovsky recorded five points in 11 playoff games with Pittsburgh. He was a healthy scratch for games 5 and 6 in the second round of the playoffs.
The Penguins reached out to Rick Curran, the agent for Ponikarovsky, early into free agency to see if the 30-year old Ukraine forward had any interest in returning on a one year deal at a reduced rate.
Despite a limited market, Ponikarovsky expressed none and never engaged in talks with Pittsburgh.
In Los Angeles, Ponikarovsky will look to fill the void of Alexander Frolov who signed a one year deal with the New York Rangers.

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