Senators trade for AHL All-Star Picard

The Ottawa Senators, parent club of the AHL’s Binghamton Senators, have acquired former AHL All-Star defenseman Alexandre Picard and blueliner Filip Kuba from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for defenseman Andrej Meszaros.

The Senators also acquired a 2009 first-round draft choice from the Lightning.

Picard, 23, recorded eight goals and 30 assists for 38 points in 54 AHL games with Philadelphia and Norfolk in 2007-08, and represented the Phantoms at the 2008 AHL All-Star Classic in Binghamton. The native of Gatineau, Que., also appeared in five NHL contests last season.

In 135 career AHL games, Picard, who made his professional debut with Philadelphia during the 2005 Calder Cup Finals, has totaled 16 goals and 58 assists for 74 points. He also has 28 points (6g, 22a) in 92 career NHL games with Philadelphia and Tampa Bay.

According to OttawaSenators.com, Ottawa general manager Bryan Murray called Picard a high-end prospect with the potential to have the same impact as Brian Lee, another 2008 AHL All-Star and the Senators’ top selection in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft who is expected to challenge for a full-time role in Ottawa this season.

Kuba, 31, spent three seasons (1996-99) in the AHL with Carolina, New Haven and Kentucky. He has recorded 55 goals and 152 assists in 531 career NHL games.