Lindback appeared in 16 games this season behind Rinne. (Getty Images)

The question: What are the Tampa Bay Lightning going to do about their goaltending situation?

The answer: trade for Anders Lindback of the Nashville Predators.

Yes, on Friday the Lightning kicked off what's sure to be a busy week of trades leading up to the draft next Friday by getting who they are likely hoping can be their No. 1 goaltender in Lindback. They also landed Kyle Wilson and a seventh-round selection in the draft from the Predators. In return, the Predators landed two second-round picks, a third-round pick and the rights to Sebastien Caron.

The deal was first reported by Kevin Allen of USA Today and was confirmed by the Lightning shortly thereafter.

Well then. That would seem to be the solution to one of the biggest problems Lightning GM Steve Yzerman has been facing since he came to Tampa Bay. Mathieu Garon, Dan Ellis, Dwayne Roloson and Mike Smith -- ouch to that one -- haven't worked to this point. So everybody knew that goaltender was priorities No. 1, 2 and 3 for Yzerman.

He said they were going to try to land a goaltender in a trade, so Roberto Luongo's name had been floated a lot. But Yzerman made it sound like that wasn't the route he wanted to go. We can clearly say that's true now.

In Lindback, the Lightning are getting a big-bodied goalie who hasn't played much at all in the NHL. He's been backing up one of the league's most-used -- and best -- goaltenders in Pekka Rinne. In his career he has 38 games played, sporting a 2.53 goals against average and .914 save percentage. Certainly not bad numbers, even if his record of 16-13-2 isn't great.

Even with Wilson and a seventh-round pick added in, it's still a pretty strong return for the Predators for a backup goalie that doesn't get much action. They can find another goalie capable of starting 15 times, I'm sure. Two second-round picks, while no guarantee, are a pretty good return, especially when you frame it with the fact that Lindback was a seventh-round selection.

So this would appear to be an upgrade for the Lightning, but the question is how much? We'll have to wait and see.

For more hockey news, rumors and analysis, follow @EyeOnHockey and @BrianStubitsNHL on Twitter and like us on Facebook.