The first move of the deadline for the Tampa Bay Lightning has finally occurred. TSN is reporting [4] the Lightning have traded winger Vaclav Prospal [5] to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for defenseman Alexandre Picard [6] and a 2nd or 3rd round pick in 2009.
Picard, a 22 year old 6'2" 220 lbs blueliner, has 8 goals and 38 points in 53 games with the Philadelphia Phantoms of the AHL this season to go along with 31 penalty minutes and a -8 rating. Picard was an AHL All-Star this season who also had 4 scoreless games worth of action with the Flyers this season. Last year the defenseman played 62 games with the big club racking up 3 goals and 22 points to go along with 17 penalty minutes and a -24 rating.
According to Hockey Forecaster [7], Picard, "Has poise and maturity with and without the puck. Can be a factor in all three zones and already displays consistency in his overall play." However, they go on to say he, "Needs to do a better job of keeping opposing forwards honest with more physical play. May not put up big offensive totals in the NHL."