Fantasy Analysis: The Leafs have traded winger Alexei Ponikarovsky to Pittsburgh for winger Luca Caputi and defenseman Martin Skoula.

Toronto gets: a skilled prospect winger on the cusp of becoming an NHLer. Skoula is a depth defenseman who was added so that the Pens could clear the cap space for this move.

The Penguins get: a second-line winger who represents an upgrade for one of the spots in the top six.

Fantasy Players Impacted: Obviously Caputi and Ponikarovsky are impacted - in opposite directions. While Caputi now has some immediate value, as I think he will make the Leafs and play out the season for them, his upside just went down by about 10 or 15 points. Instead of possibly being an 85+ player he is limited to 70 to 75 at best. Ponikarovsky, meanwhile, could get as many as 20 points down the stretch. The move won't hurt Pens wingers Chris Kunitz or Bill Guerin, as they will remain in the top six for the most part. Pascal Dupuis will never be seen in the top six again though.

In Toronto, some ice time is now freed up for the likes of Viktor Stalberg, who seems poised to benefit from any move the Leafs make this deadline.

Players who this deal helps, in order:

1. Alexei Ponikarovsky

2. Evgeni Malkin

3. Viktor Stalberg

4. Luca Caputi (short term)

5. Casey Pierro-Zabotel (no more ECHL?)

Players who this deal hurts, in order:

1. Luca Caputi (long term)

2. Pascal Dupuis

3. Max Talbot

Comments (6)

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Maximus said:

Sigh.... As a fantasy owner of Caputi, whom i drafted pretty high in a keeper draft, and a Penguins fan, i am saddened by this trade. Caputi was just starting to find his game playing with men and was on a roll in WBS and now he is gone to the Leafs (the team that i hate more than anything in the world). I have seen Caputi play in the Rookie Tourny in Kitchener this past summer and for WBS and i love the way he plays. he was going to be a potential jersey purchase in a couple of years and now i will have to boo him anytime he scores. I don't hate the idea of Poni on the Pens but we lost our best winger prospect at this time and i don't think Poni will re-sign as i am sure that he will want at least $3-3.5M which PIT can't afford. Guerin and Fedotenko will be gone but tyler Kennedy and Kris Letang are in need of contracts. I am disappointed as PIT could've got Antropov last year for a 2nd round pick and i think that he is a better player than Poni. I am listening to an interview with Poni on TSN and he doesn't sound very excited considering he is going to play with Crosby or Malkin instead of Stajan/Grabovski/Bozak. He should be super pumped but it doesn't appear to be that way.

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March 03, 2010
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DuklaNation said:

	... Caputi's value just dropped huge. All those people who drafted him in the hopes of getting quality minutes beside Crosby or Malkin are feeling sick right now.
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March 03, 2010
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agentzero said:

	Tangradi Good point, Bigs. I would think it does help him, especially in the short term. Also, I don't think they re-sign Poni. They need a proven goal scorer on that wing...When, oh when will they get him?
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March 02, 2010
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Bigs said:

	Tangradi Doesn't this trade also help Tangradi not having Caputi in the way anymore?
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March 02, 2010
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Bigs said:

	... Im guessing no chance Poni signs in Pittsburgh next year, what do you guys think?
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March 02, 2010
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Bob Farls said:

	hats Shit. Well Dobber, I guess I'm eating 2 of your hats. Not a fan of this deal, can't believe Shero pulled the trigger...must have really not liked how Caputi was looking, but who knows.
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March 02, 2010
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