The Ottawa Senators have traded defenseman Andrej Meszaros to the Tampa Bay Lightning for defenders Filip Kuba and Alexandre Picard, plus a first round draft pick.

Fantasy Impact for Ottawa: The Sens have traded away their only means of serious production from the blue line and have acquired two defenders who are far less capable of putting up the numbers Meszaros could have amassed in Ottawa. Kuba has consistently put up around 30 points over the past 3 seasons and should be quarterbacking the power play in Ottawa. Don’t expect Kuba’s numbers to significantly increase, however, and consider him a 3rd option at defense as you draft. Picard should not be considered in even the deepest of leagues.

Fantasy Impact for Tampa Bay: This complete overhauling in Tampa Bay is making the Lightning look like a serious contender this season. Meszaros will be a much welcomed addition to a team who had very few offensive threats from the blue line prior to the trade. He’ll be slotted in as their number one defender and it might not be a bad play to consider him your number one if you tend to wait on drafting defenders. If you’re a manager who prefers to anchor down one player at each position before adding depth, Meszaros is more than worthy of holding that 2nd option defender position on your roster.