Trade/Transfer

The Tampa Bay Lightning have announced that they have acquired restricted free agent defenseman Andrej Meszaros from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for defensemen Filip Kuba and Alexandre Picard along with the 2009 1st round pick the Bolts acquired from the San Jose Sharks in the Dan Boyle trade.

Rumors had been swirling for the past two days about Meszaros' future with Senators since Ottawa GM Brian Murray declared an impasse in negotiations to get the restricted free agent resigned. His three-year entry level rookie contract expired this summer, but was unable to agree upon a contract extension with Ottawa. TSN is reporting that it expects Meszaros will sign a 6 year, $24M contract with the Lightning.

From a story dated June 28, the official site of the Western Michigan University athletic program reported that Lightning 2008 draftee Luke Witkowski will defer his enrollment at WMU until the 2009-2010 season. Witkowski had signed a letter of intent in November 2007.

Victoria Grizzlies General Manager Jackson Penney has informed Bolt Prospects that Lightning 2007 seventh round pick Justin Courtnall will return to the BCHL Grizzlies for another year.

Courtnall had been looking into attending an NCAA school in the fall, but those plans are on hold until the 2009-2010 season.

After starting slow last year with Victoria, Courtnall came on to finish with 19 goals and 32 assists for 51 points in 60 games - good enough for second on the club by just a point.

The winger played the previous season with Burnaby of the BCHL.

Courtnall's father, former NHLer Geoff Courtnall, is the head coach of Victoria. Lightning co-owner Len Barrie serves as the Grizzlies' president. (Times-Colonist photo)

Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune is confirming that the Tampa Bay Lightning and the San Jose Sharks are officially completing the much discussed trade of star defensemen Dan Boyle. The deal sends Boyle along with Tampa defenseman Brad Lukowich to San Jose in exchange for defenseman Matt Carle, top defensive prospect and former first rounder Ty Wishart, a 2009 1st round pick, and a 2010 4th round pick.

Six days after being traded to Philadelphia from Nashville, the Tampa Bay Lighting acquired rearguard restricted free agent prospect Janne Niskala in exchange for a 2009 6th round pick.