CBJ acquire Letestu from Predators in exchange for 2018 fourth round pick

COLUMBUS, OHIO ---The Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired center Mark Letestu from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 2018 fourth round selection, club General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced today. The former Blue Jacket was acquired by the Predators earlier in the day in a trade with the Edmonton Oilers.
Letestu, 33, has recorded 92 goals and 114 assists for 206 points with 90 penalty minutes in 538 career NHL games with the Oilers, Blue Jackets and Pittsburgh Penguins. He has registered six seasons with 10 or more goals and 24 or more points and added 6-9-15 and two penalty minutes in 30 career Stanley Cup Playoff contests.
The Elk Point, Alberta native has notched 8-11-19 with 10 penalty minutes and three power play goals in 60 games with Edmonton this season. In 2016-17, he posted NHL career highs in goals, points and power play goals with the Oilers, collecting 16-19-35, 17 penalty minutes and 11 power play tallies in 78 games.

"Mark is a very good player who will bring versatility and experience to our lineup. He can play on the power play, kill penalties and is very good in the faceoff circle," said Kekalainen. "He is also a person of very high character who made an impact on and off the ice during his previous time here and we are very happy to bring him back to Columbus."
Letestu spent four seasons with the Blue Jackets from 2011-15, recording 43-55-98 and 36 penalty minutes in 233 games. He tallied three-straight campaigns of 10 or more goals and 24 or more points, including 12-22-34 in 82 games in 2013-14 to help the Blue Jackets reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He was originally acquired by Columbus in a trade from Pittsburgh on Nov. 8, 2011. Signed by the Penguins as a free agent in March 2007, he spent the 2006-07 season at Western Michigan University and was named the CCHA Rookie of the Year after posting 24-22-46 and 14 penalty minutes in 37 contests.
The Blue Jackets return to action on Monday when they host the Washington Capitals. Game time from Nationwide Arena is 7 p.m. ET. Live coverage on FOX Sports Ohio begins with the Blue Jackets Live pre-game show starting at 6:30 p.m. All Blue Jackets games televised on FOX Sports Ohio will also be streamed live via FOX Sports GO. The game may also be heard on the Eldorado Scioto Downs Blue Jackets Radio Network, including flagship station Sports Radio 97.1 The Fan in Columbus, and online at BlueJackets.com.