Hey everyone, just thought I would start a discussion for the next few days on Alexei Ponikarovsky

Approaching July 1st, everyone in the Devs organization, including the fans knew the Free Agent order;

1. Parise

2. Marty

3. Salvador

From the fans perspective, we couldnt wait to hear the words, Zach Parise and New Jersey Devils in the same sentence (well, at least in a positive sentence). I'm sure the most of us on here have moved on about Parise, and are looking forward to another cup run, but does anyone have any thoughts on the idea of Poni possibly waiting a week, and attempting to re-sign with NJ, rather than jumping out of the ugly situation that was approaching as soon as possible? Now I could understand that at age 32, and being classified as a 3rd line, 2nd line winger at best, Ponikarovsky jumped at the opportunity to sign with a young, promising team like Winnipeg. But in retrospect, do you think he should have waited out the Parise fiasco, just like Brodeur, and Sal did? Or do you think it was right for him, at this point in his career to move on. Now, im not saying I would classify his departure under the same category I would Zach’s, however I am a little disappointed because I would have loved to see him in Red and Black for another year. The deal that brought him here in the first place was a steal. So what do you guys think? Think he would have been a good depth player for another season? Or was it right for him to leave NJ after 10hrs of Free Agency testing? Also he signed with Carolina on July 1st of 2011, so maybe he doesn’t want to argue and, and when he sees what he likes he jumps at it.