NHL Trade Deadline: Andrei Kostitsyn Headed to Nashville, Reunites with his Brother Sergi

The Kostitsyn brothers look like they will be reunited on the ice for the first time since 2010.

News broke around 10:30 a.m. Monday that the first deal of deadline day sent Andrei Kostitsyn from Montreal to Nashville for a second-round pick in 2013 and the conditional fifth round pick they sent to the Predators earlier this week in the Hal Gill deal.

That trade is a huge risk for the Predators, with many bound to ask why the Kostitsyn brothers should be reunited. The two were inconsistent at best on the ice for the Canadiens and got into some trouble with organized crime off the ice.

Both were cleared of ever committing any crimes, but using the behavior calls both players' judgment into question. The brothers were also terribly inconsistent, especially Sergi, but he seems to have figured it since he was dealt to the Predators.

Sergi blossomed in Nashville, hitting the 50 point mark last year in 77 games, and has kept up that pace with 35 points through 55 games this year.

Moving out of the insane, pressure filled bubble that is Montreal certainly helped the younger Kostitsyn, so perhaps the Predators think they can perform the same transformation with the older one.

Nashville needed scoring and toughness up front, but this deal only addresses one of those needs. Andrei is 6'1, 215 lbs., but he plays a European style (not physical), he has scored at least 20 goals in three of the last four seasons, with his injury shortened 2009 campaign the only miss.

Though they aren't the Sedins, Sutters or Stahl's, the Kostitsyns and Nashville will undoubtedly benefit from their experience together and familiarity with each other.

The Predators were in on the Rick Nash sweepstakes, but with Nash's no movement clause and the perceived lack of a real hockey community, in Nashville it was unlikely he was ever going there.

In the final analysis, the Predators gave themselves some scoring as they try to catch St. Louis and Detroit who are four and six points up on them in the Central division.

Even if Nashville can't catch those teams Andrei brings 41 games of playoff experience to a team that finally won their first playoff series ever last season. In a deep and tough Western Conference they will need all the help they can get come April.