"This deal should be a steal of a rental for the Devils.

Last night, they acquired 6-foot-4 winger Alexei Ponikarovsky from the Hurricanes for Albany defenseman Joe Sova and a 2012 fourth-round pick.

"He's got hockey sense. He knows how to play the game," general manager Lou Lamoriello said, marveling at his fortune. "And he's 6-4.

"This player is going to help our team."

Lamoriello said there is a chance Ponikarovsky could be in the Devils' lineup this afternoon when the Flyers visit the Prudential Center. The 31-year-old played for Carolina in Raleigh last night.

Ponikarovsky is eligible for unrestricted free agency July 1, and is earning $1.5 million this season. He has had four 20-goal seasons, playing eight-plus seasons with the Maple Leafs before shuffling among the Penguins, Kings and Hurricanes over the last two calendar years."