The Blue
Jackets’ smartest player will hold that label for a little while longer as Mark
Letestu signed a contract extension through the 2014-15 season on Tuesday
afternoon.
The move
was Jarmo Kekäläinen’s
first and one that reassures that John Davidson’s “brick by brick”
mantra is still the driving force behind each organizational decision.
Letestu has
been a beacon of consistency during the Blue Jackets’ sprint for their second
playoff birth in franchise history. The Western Michigan product is second
among Columbus forwards in each major offensive category with 9 goals, 11
assists, and 20 points through 34 games.
He’s a
defensive forward on the back check and penalty kill but he’s an offensive
threat when the team needs a goal. His ability to recognize what style he needs
to play may be his most valuable skill and it’s a huge part of what makes him
Columbus’ smartest player.
The brains
and the skill have combined to make him a dynamic player, a player who has worked
to prove through his statistics and intangibles that he will be worth more than
the fourth round pick his was traded for in 2012.
Perhaps
Matia Marcantuoni, Pittsburgh’s draft pick acquired in the trade, will have
more goals than he does vowels in his name and the Letestu trade will be
another mark on Scott Howson’s already tainted résumé, but for now, the little
stick lifts on the back check and the blocked shots on the penalty kill are
enough to make Letestu a piece of the foundation the Blue Jackets wish to build
upon.
This Season: 9-11-20 - 34 GP
Career with CBJ: 20-24-44 - 85 GP
NHL Career: 35-38-73 - 170 GP
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