Defenseman Shane O'Brien, traded Monday to the Canucks with right wing Michel Ouellet in a deal that gained for Tampa Bay veteran defenseman Lukas Krajicek, said he was not surprised by the trade.

"I just didn't feel things were going in the right direction here," Ö'Brien said. "They brought in some new people. I could see it coming. I'm not stupid."

O'Brien will find a welcoming committee in Vancouver, a team that wants to add toughness to its blue line.

"That is exciting that I'm going to a pretty good team," O'Brien said. "Once I get there and get to know some of the guys, it will be an easier transition."

Still, he said leaving the Lightning will be difficult.

"Great fans and a great city," O'Brien said. "It#s definitely tough to leave. I met a lot of good people here and made a lot of good friends. But this is part of our job. Obviously, they're moving in a different direction.I just wish my teammates the best of luck. That's about it."

Also, the Lightning re-assigned defenseman Vladimir Mihalik to AHL Norfolk.