NEW YORK -- The final hurdle to Alexei Ponikarovsky joining the Penguins has been cleared.

This afternoon, Ponikarovsky, who was acquired from Toronto in a trade Tuesday, received the visa he needs to play for a team based in the United States.

He will not join the Penguins for their game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden tonight, but is scheduled to fly from Toronto to Pittsburgh and to participate in the team's practice Friday.

Ponikarovsky, who had 19 goals and 22 assists in 61 games with the Maple Leafs, is expected to be used at left wing on a line with Evgeni Malkin and Ruslan Fedotenko.

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