The Montreal Canadiens added some depth on defense Thursday, acquiring defenseman Nikita Nesterov from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for blue-liner Jonathan Racine and a sixth-round pick in 2017, the team announced.
Nesterov joins the Canadiens after managing three goals and 12 points for the Lightning this season - good enough for third in team scoring among defensemen.
Nikita Nesterov acquisition has nothing to do with Andrei Markov on the IR. Marc Bergevin was looking for more dept at the blue line anyway.
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) January 27, 2017
Meanwhile, in Racine, the Lightning receive a former third-round pick in 2011 of the Florida Panthers. The 23-year-old has spent this season playing for the Canadiens' American Hockey League affiliate, the St. John's IceCaps, where he has contributed three assists and 58 penalty minutes in 26 games.
Nesterov should add some experience to the Canadiens' defensive core, having dressed in 26 playoff games over the last two seasons.
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