Tampa Bay Lightning Acquire Jason Garrison

Jan 26, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman

(5) skates against the Phoenix Coyotes during the third period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

The Tampa Bay Lightning have made their first major move of the offseason as they have traded for Vancouver Canucks defenseman Jason Garrison.

The Bolts will also receive the rights to Jeff Costello and a 2015 seventh round draft pick. The Lightning sent Vancouver the 50th overall pick in tonight’s NHL Draft in return.

Acquiring Garrison fills a big need for the Bolts, who were desperate for a top four defenseman and they now have him. The 6-foot-2  d-man also possesses a massive slap shot.

He is under contract for another four years with a cap hit of $4.6 million a year. Garrison waived his no-trade clause to join the Lightning.

Last year, Garrison totalled 33 points (seven goals) in 81 games for the Canucks. He has spent the last two years in Vancouver after spending the first four years of his career with the Florida Panthers.

The Lightning showed interest in Garrison when he was a free agent two years ago but he instead chose to sign with the Canucks.

The 29-year-old has played 318 regular season games, tallying 108 points. He’s also appeared in eight playoff games.

Costello was a fifth round pick of the Ottawa Senators in the 2009 draft. However, he remains unsigned and has spent the last four years playing at the University of Notre Dame. He tallied 13 goals and nine assists in 40 games last season. He’s still only 23 years old.

It’s an impressive coup for Bolts general manager Steve Yzerman at the cost of just a second round pick. Garrison joins a defensive core that includes Victor Hedman, Radko Gudas, Matt Carle and Eric Brewer among others.

Perhaps more importantly, the Lightning still has both of their first round draft picks for tonight’s draft.