Who says you can't go home?
The Blue Jackets need help up front, specifically in goal-scoring and balance across their four lines. Mark Letestu isn't a high-profile scorer by any means (43 goals and 98 points in 243 games with Columbus the first time around), but sometimes the marriage is just a good fit.
Jarmo Kekalainen is hoping Letestu fits this time like he did the first time.
Letestu is a quality depth player who can play on the power play and penalty kill. He's played with several guys on the current Blue Jackets roster and is building a home in the area for his post-playing days. He's beloved by the equipment staff, training staff and those have come in contact with him over the years; hockey is obviously first and foremost, but the other stuff – the "people part" – also matters.
"For us, with our thought process, it helps that we know what kind of guy he is," Kekalainen said today. "We know what kind of teammate he is. There's no guessing there – we know Mark Letestu. He's a good citizen, a good teammate, a good person, a good character guy."
It's a chance for Letestu to potentially get back in the playoffs with the Blue Jackets (as of Sunday) sitting two points clear of the bar. He was a key member of the Oilers in their playoff run last season but it's not gone well in Edmonton this year. A free agent on July 1, the 33-year-old Letestu is playing both for now but also his future, whether that's in Columbus or elsewhere.
"This will give us a good chance to see how he fits in today (and also) the future plans," Kekalainen said. "I wouldn't rule any of that out. The focus is to make the playoffs now and we'll worry about the future after that.
"He's a solid veteran who's a leader, as well. I think he'll help us in a lot of different areas. He's excited to come here, we're excited to have him. We'll see where it goes."
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