BROOKLYN -- The Canadiens announced prior to puck drop on Thursday that Lightning defenseman Nikita Nesterov has been acquired in exchange for Jonathan Racine and a sixth-round pick in 2017.
Nesterov has scored three goals and added nine assists through 35 games this season. The 23-year-old is currently in his third NHL campaign, and has registered 28 points (9G-19A) in 119 games since making his debut in 2014-15. Racine, for his part, has picked up three assists in 26 games with the St. John's IceCaps since joining the Canadiens following training camp in exchange for forward Tim Bozon.