Penguins Deal Mark Letestu to Columbus

[Thrillhouse]

The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired a fourth-round draft pick in the 2012 NHL Draft from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for forward Mark Letestu, it was announced today by executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero.

Letestu, 26, has registered one assist and two penalty minutes in 11 games with the Penguins this season. He collected 14-13-27, 13 penalty minutes and was +4 in 64 games with Pittsburgh in 2010-11. He ranked fourth among NHL rookies in game-winning goals (three), seventh in power play goals (four) and 11th (tied) in goals. In 85 career NHL games, he has 15-14-29 and 17 penalty minutes and added 0-2-2 in 11 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

The Elk Point, Alberta native was signed by Pittsburgh as a free agent on March 22, 2007 after spending one season at Western Michigan. With the Broncos in 2006-07, he tallied 24-22-46 and 14 penalty minutes in 37 games to rank third in the CCHA in goals and seventh in points. His five shorthanded goals led the nation. Following his collegiate career, he spent parts of four seasons playing for Pittsburgh’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. He notched 51-83-134, 55 penalty minutes and a cumulative plus/minus rating of +30 in 191 career AHL games spanning 2007-10.

[Mike Tython]

Don't know whether or not to read anything into this in regards to Crosby. Letestu has been the odd man out even without 87 in the lineup. I like Letestu, and hope he does well in Columbus.

[Killah_punk]

I guess the rumours were true that the Pens were shopping him. Letestu pretty much sucked this season and with the play of Park and Vitale this pretty much made Letestu expendable. He was obviously the odd man out, and with him having to pass through waivers before being able to play in the AHL, something had to be done. As for Columbus it's going to be a long season!

[thepolishkid88]

We got a 4th rd pick for a guy who couldn't outplay Richard Park. Yeah thats a win for us.

I still don't think Sid will be back Friday but TK might be and this helps do that.

[Kid Roberts]

Later Letestu. I'm so glad Vitale got the job and is in!

[FightingIsGood]

This was inevitable. Letestu played his way out of the lineup, and now off the team. Both Vitale and Park have outplayed him big time. They may still need to make one more roster move to make room for both Sid and TK, as well as Big Mac.

[Machinehead2k5]

Carter - Letestu - Umberger
Prospal - Vermette - Nash

Two solid top lines.

[Ciccarelli]

Originally Posted by Machinehead2k5

Carter - Letestu - Umberger
Prospal - Vermette - Nash

Two solid top lines.

No. Umberger and Vermette are 3rd liners, Prospal is old and injury prone, and Letestu doesn't belong on a first line either.

[Spirit]

Letestu is slow and soft. However, he has good hands. If he plays with faster, abrasive wingers and gets some power play time, he can put a few points on the board. The Penguins don't need him, but Columbus might get some use out of him.

[GaryRobertsFan]

Originally Posted by Machinehead2k5

Carter - Letestu - Umberger
Prospal - Vermette - Nash

Two solid top lines.

Sarcasm? I can't imagine anyone would have Letestu on the first line and Nash on the second.

[Machinehead2k5]

Originally Posted by GaryRobertsFan

Sarcasm? I can't imagine anyone would have Letestu on the first line and Nash on the second.

They're just lines, in no particular order. I figured Letestu has the hands of a 2nd line center but definitely not the caliber of a 1st line center to Nash.

[ChiefJerseyJab]

Mixed emotions about this, however, it does make a lot of sense. I really enjoyed Letestu's play last year. This year, he was simply outplayed and thus expendable. I think he'll have a good year now as a 3rd or even 2nd line forward gettin 12-16 mins of ice time and some PP time.

[JeanLaRose]

And to think... this guy was our top line center at the end of last year and in the playoffs. Really puts into perspective how long its been since the Pens were healthy.

[chilly666]

Originally Posted by Machinehead2k5

They're just lines, in no particular order. I figured Letestu has the hands of a 2nd line center but definitely not the caliber of a 1st line center to Nash.

you forgot brassard who is ahead of letestu as well

[Big Violence]

No one will even notice Letestu is gone within a couple weeks. Pretty forgettable player IMO.