Letestu signed to a 2 year $2.5M Contract Extension

[Samkow]

Long term bottom six two way player that can provide secondary scoring and is good at killing penalties while filling in on the top six in the event of injuries or poor play? Nope, I don't think he's overrated.

What do you think people think of him to suggest he's "mightily overrated"?

I've seen him listed as the Blue Jackets MVP not named Bobrovsky by some. Can't say I agree with that at all.

I was worried about what he might get seeing as he's somewhat overachived offensively this season. But at 1.25 per (think he easily could have gotten 1.75-2 mil. over a longer term on the market this summer), glad he's back.

 

[blahblah]

agreed...i think he'll be a solid 3rd liner for us

Yeah, we're in transition so he might stay in that top six longer than what some will want. He's that guy that you always feel should be in the bottom six. What is great about Mark is that he doesn't hurt you in the top six and he'll play any role you ask him too. He can even play a little on the PP.

One of the better moves from Howson to get him.

 

[Fro]

Yeah, we're in transition so he might stay in that top six longer than what some will want. He's that guy that you always feel should be in the bottom six. What is great about Mark is that he doesn't hurt you in the top six and he'll play any role you ask him too. He can even play a little on the PP.

One of the better moves from Howson to get him.

fairly confident in saying he's better than what we would have chosen with that 4th round pick...

 

[Socks]

I would have given him half a million more just for that cockyass head nod after his game winning shootout goal a few games back. Loved that.

 

[blahblah]

I've seen him listed as the Blue Jackets MVP not named Bobrovsky by some. Can't say I agree with that at all.

He is certainly in consideration. Who would be that far above and beyond Letestu? AA maybe? Not even sure I buy that. I think it's an issue on your part if you don't even consider him in the mix.

I was worried about what he might get seeing as he's somewhat overachived offensively this season. But at 1.25 per (think he easily could have gotten 1.75-2 mil. over a longer term on the market this summer), glad he's back.

Really? He has? He continued on with what he did in March and April of last year. Based on role he has produced at around a 30 minute prod. That is pretty much in his wheel house.

 

[Roadman]

Good signing, probably a little under what I expected.

Glad to have him back, I don't think we could have replaced him with whatever we received had we traded him. He's a role player that every team loves to have.

 

[Samkow]

He is certainly in consideration. Who would be that far above and beyond Letestu? AA maybe? Not even sure I buy that. I think it's an issue on your part if you don't even consider him in the mix.

I'd have Anisimov, Prospal, Johnson, and Tyutin ahead of him (that's not in any order)

Really? He has? He continued on with what he did in March and April of last year. Based on role he has produced at around a 30 minute prod. That is pretty much in his wheel house.

His pace this season is more impressive considering ATPIT, he's drawing the other team's top defensive matchups, as well as the general lack of offensive talent on the team. Just my .02

 

[KeithBWhittington]

Like the signing a lot. Mark has shown that he has good third line scoring abilities as well as being responsible in most other avenues of his game.

 

[Fro]

I'd have Anisimov, Prospal, Johnson, and Tyutin ahead of him (that's not in any order)



His pace this season is more impressive considering ATPIT, he's drawing the other team's top defensive matchups, as well as the general lack of offensive talent on the team. Just my .02

not really for this thread i guess but our MVP is Bob...pretty much the only name to be on that list...everyone else played their role well

 

[Doctor Spin]

This may be indicative of what the market rate is for secondary scoring forwards in the postCBA world. While I know the reports are that he and his family like Columbus, I doubt that they like it so much that they would bypass a half million or so a year if the agent thought what was what the summer UFA market would bring.

 

[Nanabijou]

Great signing. I'm surprised we got him for less than 2 million per year - at only 2 years at that. He must look at his potential role on the CBJ and see a good opportunity for the real payday in 2 years.

 

[KeithBWhittington]

Great signing. I'm surprised we got him for less than 2 million per year - at only 2 years at that. He must look at his potential role on the CBJ and see a good opportunity for the real payday in 2 years.

Agree. He'll likely be counted on for those two years as well. He isn't going to be looked at to provide depth, but scoring. He could cash in pretty well in 2 years if he simply keeps doing what he's doing now. After 2 years, this team might be in a better situation where he may not be needed as much in his current role, he could move into a nice payday somewhere.

 

[Xoggz22]

Not sure how we got him for that cheap. Hell, Boll and McKenzie are at a million. Interesting.

Glad to see he is around for another 2 years.

Certainly some cap adjustment came into play. And it was probably a situation of where JK offered a year and Letestu wanted 2 minimum for some stability.

Excellent deal and Letestu just doubled his salary. If he likes it here and sees the vision maybe he thought better to dance with the devil you know than the one you don't....

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Excellent deal and Letestu just doubled his salary. If he likes it here and sees the vision maybe he thought better to dance with the devil you know than the one you don't....

All rosters, but especially "incomplete" rosters like the CBJ's need a guy like Letestu who can play in all situations and varied roles and not hurt you. At the least, a two-year deal makes him a great transition guy to give you some time to fix the roster, and as you say, maybe he becomes a part of the "core" - you've given yourself a couple years to find out.

 

[EDM]

It is interesting how much players with families tend to "like Columbus". It is true. It really is one of the greatest cities imaginable for raising a family.

 

[jdhebner]

Most excellent deal. It's not every day you sign up your second leading point getter for 1.25 Million per for 2 years...

As much as I hate the shootout, I loved his face when he scored in the shootout recently.....

 

[Xoggz22]

The two years simply signals the CBJ are looking to draft Nichushkin. Once his KHL contract is up - oh my, in two years - he can slot right in and put up 40-50 pts like Letestu. Then he can start to take over games by the end of his ELC.

Seriously, great signing. He's the ideal bottom 6/fill in guy which good lockerroom presence.

 

[Jackets16]

This may be indicative of what the market rate is for secondary scoring forwards in the postCBA world. While I know the reports are that he and his family like Columbus, I doubt that they like it so much that they would bypass a half million or so a year if the agent thought what was what the summer UFA market would bring.

That depends on where he would have gone as an UFA. I am pretty sure Ohio's cost of living is less than some of the other places in the NHL.

 

[Jackets16]

https://twitter.com/RobMixer

Mark Letestu: "We talk about going north and brick-by-brick…I'm one of those bricks." Thanked #CBJ management for their confidence in him.

 

[major major]

I'm likewise surprise that the deal is for so little. I don't know if it says so much about the going market as it does that Letestu wants to stay here.

 

[cbjfaninmo]

Great signing. Very similar to "bridge" contracts JD was involved with in St. Louis. He has two years to earn the big contract.

 

[Roadman]

Great signing. Very similar to "bridge" contracts JD was involved with in St. Louis. He has two years to earn the big contract.

Not sure that at 30 he'll be signing any big contracts, but he can certainly keep himself in that valuable contributor role.

 

[Viqsi]

This signing makes me do a happy dance.

Good numbers all around, really. Nice to see that JK's done good with one of the bits of low-hanging fruit.

 

[Kev22]

This is a good signing. As long as he keeps up this level of play (he's probably one of our top 5 players) this is a bargain signing for an important "brick." These are the types of players this club needs to succeed.

 

[NotWendell]

When the CBJ become a Cup contender, Letestu will be a good 3rd line player on that team. Until then, I'm happy to have him on our second line.