Toronto Sun: Leafs interim GM Cliff Fletcher is starting to field calls from friends in the business who want to help at the trade deadline. Fletcher's issue: A lot of teams are calling about LW Alexei Ponikarovsky, D Tomas Kaberle and C Alex Steen. Those are the guys the Leafs want to keep.

Toronto Star :

Ponikarovsky to return earlier than thought

The news from sick bay continues to be positive for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Alexei Ponikarovsky's shoulder separation was not as bad as initially feared. After a visit to Dr. James Andrews in Birmingam, Ala., it was determined the 6-foot-5 winger won't require surgery and could return to the Leaf lineup within three weeks.
Sooner, if the Ukrainian-born winger had his way.
«I want to get back as soon as possible," said Ponikarovksy. «It's not going to be six weeks like we first thought.»
Unfortunately, rookie Darryl Boyce – who separated his shoulder in his first NHL game Jan. 24 against Washington, an opportunity that arose when Ponikarovsky got hurt – did require surgery. He had his operation today.
Ponikarovsky practised today for the first time, taking part in the morning skate prior to tonight's game against the Florida Panthers.
«I'm just trying to get the strength back in the shoulder, that was my first time out. I felt pretty good. I'm on the way," said Ponikarovsky. «We have to see how I feel. When I feel more comfortable, we'll discuss with doctors.»

Илья: Хорошие новости. Возможно уже через неделю Поник будет уже в строю:

Globe and Mail: There is a possibility the Leafs' lineup will be at full strength against the ninth-place Sabres, who have won three of four games and crept back into the playoff picture. Chad Kilger has returned from undisclosed personal problems that kept him out of the lineup the past five games, and Alexei Ponikarovsky has been cleared for full contact in practice.
Ponikarovsky suffered a dislocated shoulder seven games ago, on Jan. 23, and was supposed to be out of action for six to eight weeks, but if he doesn't experience any discomfort, he'll play against the Sabres.

Toronto Star: Winger Alexei Ponikarovsky, who has recovered from a separated shoulder, is likely going to return to the lineup Wednesday when the Maple Leafs play the Sabres in Buffalo.
...
Ponikarovsky would return to action about two weeks ahead of schedule.
«He's big and strong and in great shape," Maurice said of Ponikarovsky. «I think he's ready to play if the doctors will clear him. He has no pain and he has no strength issues.»

National Post: After missing seven games with a dislocated shoulder, Alexei Ponikarovsky returned to the lineup. In the first period, Buffalo defenceman Jaroslav Spacek almost sent the Toronto forward back on the injured list with a board-rattling bodycheck.
Ponikarovsky, who replaced rookie Robbie Earl in the lineup, survived the hit. But the Leafs could not survive holding off the Sabres.

Toronto Star: If Maple Leaf GM Cliff Fletcher's mandate to clear as much salary-cap space as possible is truly stymied by no-trade clauses held by his high-end talent, then he may have to look further down the pecking order to find moveable commodities.
To do so, he'd have to look up. Way up. To the 6-foot-4 Alexei Ponikarovsky and the 6-foot-6 Nik Antropov.
Both have the size and talent – and in Ponikarovsky's case, the speed – that scouts salivate over. And in the $2 million (all figures U.S.) a year range, both come with the right price tag.
«They could play for my team," said an Eastern Conference scout whose club was very much in the playoff hunt.
Both are also young enough. Antropov turns 28 today and is having a career year, hitting 20 goals for the first time in his career on Saturday night. He has one year left on a contract that averages $2.05 million. Ponikarovsky turns 28 in April, with two years left on a contract that averages $2.15 million.
«There's been a lot of rumours going around," said Ponikarovsky. «Every year it's the same thing. If a trade is going to happen, it's going to happen.
«It's a part of the business that we can't control. You never know what's going to happen. Basically, you just play and everything is up to the general manager and owners and everybody else.»
Neither wants to leave Toronto. Both would rather be part of the solution than flee the problem.

The Sports Network: Toronto left wing Alexei Ponikarovsky left the game in the first period with a rib injury. He will be reevaluated on Sunday

The Globe and Mail: Meanwhile, Maple Leafs forward Alexei Ponikarovsky, who injured his ribs in Toronto's 3-1 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers on Saturday, did not make the trip to Ottawa. Further evaluations to determine the severity of the injury will be made Monday.