Interest in Ponikarovsky Grows.

TSN's Darren Dreger recently reported via his Twitter account as many as ten teams are believed interested in Toronto Maple Leafs forward Alexei Ponikarovsky. He'll likely be moved on March third, perhaps for a second round draft pick.

USA Today's Kevin Allen meanwhile reported the Pittsburgh Penguins aren't amongst the interested teams but suggested it was still early.

SPECTOR'S TAKE: Leafs general manager Brian Burke recently said more trades were coming for his club, meaning Ponikarovsky, a pending UFA, is probably a goner by the trade deadline. Burke will probably retain him up to the trade deadline in hopes of maximizing his trade value. The Penguins could get involved but GM Ray Shero would have to make the dollars fit under his salary cap and will have to manage his assets accordingly to make it happen.