Mark Letestu had an eventful return to Columbus after the March trade deadline, scoring a goal in his first game back with the club, much to the delight of the Nationwide Arena crowd. It was, however, the only goal he’d score in his second stint with the club.
Turns out, he may get a second chance – and a third go-round with the team – according to George Richards of The Athletic.
After not being offered a one-way deal by the Blue Jackets (or any other team) this offseason, Letestu inked a professional tryout (PTO) with the Florida Panthers in hopes of cracking their bottom six. With some young players emerging and a few veterans already firmly entrenched (including former Blue Jacket Derek MacKenzie), Letestu was left on the outside looking in.
The Panthers released him from his PTO on Monday. Richards hears that Letestu will return to the Blue Jackets on a two-way deal.
He is said to have a two-way deal in place with the Blue Jackets — Letestu is living in the Columbus area after playing there in the past and then being reacquired by the Jackets at the trade deadline last season.
Richards goes on to speculate that Letestu’s return to the Blue Jackets would see him start the season with the Cleveland Monsters, the team’s AHL affiliate.
Regardless, the real highlight of Richards’ piece is a beautifully frank quote from Letestu on the end of his time in Florida.
As for Letestu, by Monday afternoon he was boarding a northbound plane to see his kids back in Columbus.
“A silver lining to a shit sandwich of a day,” Letestu said while in line at Fort Lauderdale airport.
If Letestu does end up in Cleveland, he’ll likely be an impact contributor at that level. After all, he did put up 23 points at the NHL level last season, and 35 the year before that in Edmonton.
