Kings Sign Goal-Scorer Alexei Ponikarovsky To 1-Year Deal

(AP)- The Los Angeles Kings have signed left wing Alexei Ponikarovsky to a one-year deal after falling short in their pursuit of Ilya Kovalchuk.

Ponikarovsky scored 21 goals last season with Toronto and Pittsburgh, which acquired him in a trade last March 2. The longtime Maple Leafs forward, who agreed to terms with the Kings on Tuesday, has scored at least 20 goals in four of the past five seasons.

Ponikarovsky is a consolation prize for the Kings, who spent three weeks attempting to sign Kovalchuk before the Russian forward chose a more lucrative offer from the New Jersey Devils.

(© 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)