Submitted by timothy on June 23, 2012 - 14:44

TAMPA BAY â€“ The Tampa Bay Lightning acquired forward Benoit Pouliot from the Boston Bruins in exchange for forward Michel Ouellet and their fifth round selection in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman announced today.

Despite not being qualified by Montreal after the 2010-11 season and signed by the Bruins on July 1, 2011 as an unrestricted free agent, Pouliot reverts back to pending restricted free agent status since he doesn't meet the age threshold for permanent unrestricted status. Pouliot does hold arbitration rights should he choose to exercise them this summer.

Pouliot, 25, played in 74 games with the Boston Bruins last season, collecting 16 goals and 32 points to go along with 38 penalty minutes. The Alfred, Ontario native set career highs in goals and points last season. Pouliot ranked third on Boston in game winning goals with five and eighth in goals and plus/minus (+16). He also skated in seven playoff games with the Bruins, posting a goal and two points.

The 6-foot-3, 199-pound, forward has skated in 257 career NHL games with the Bruins, Minnesota Wild and Montreal Canadiens, collecting 53 goals and 104 points. He was originally selected by the Wild in the first round, fourth overall, in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.