Mark Letestu

39-Year-Old CenterC
 Free Agent  
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Mark Letestu in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Jets in July of 2019.
Hangs up skates
CFree Agent
December 27, 2020
Letestu announced his retirement from the NHL on Sunday, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
The 35-year-old played 567 games and generated 93 goals, 117 assists and 90 PIM. In his announcement, he quipped that he "got a lot of time out of being a short, slow guy in a fast man's league." Letestu spent time with Pittsburgh, Columbus, Edmonton and, most recently, Winnipeg.
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2019 NHL Game Log
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2018 NHL Game Log
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2016 NHL Game Log
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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Mark Letestu See More
Cap Compliance: Winnipeg Jets
June 27, 2020
AJ Scholz and Kyle Riley weigh in on how they believe the Jets should approach free agency this offseason.
2018-19 Fantasy Preview: Forward Tiers
July 18, 2018
Evan Berofsky breaks down the league's most relevant fantasy forward assets into tiers in advance of the 2018-19 season.
Stanley Cup Playoffs: Player Rankings
April 10, 2018
Jan Levine ranks the skaters and goalies in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for fantasy playoff leagues. Can you guess where Brad Marchand ranks?
Stanley Cup Playoffs: Postseason Preview
April 10, 2018
Jan Levine previews the Stanley Cup playoffs, picking each round, as Patrice Bergeron looks to carry the Bruins to another championship.
Prospects Analysis: Trade Deadline Fallout
March 5, 2018
Jon Litterine analyzes the prospects who were moved at the trade deadline. Can Pontus Aberg turn the potential he showed with the Predators into something more with the Oilers?
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2018
2017
2016
2015
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2012
2011
2010
The veteran returned to Columbus at the 2018 trade deadline after spending two-plus seasons in Edmonton, finishing up his campaign with nine goals and 23 points in 80 games. A surprisingly large share of Letestu's scoring came on the man advantage with the Oilers, as they were willing to overlook his offensive shortcomings in order to win as many faceoffs in the attacking zone as possible, but that role disappeared with the Blue Jackets and likely would with another organization as well. The 33-year-old was cut during training camp while on a PTO with the Panthers, but given his very specific skill set -- he won 53.3 percent of his faceoffs last season, and has a 52.1 percent success rate at the dot for his career -- he could return to the Blue Jackets on a two-way deal.
Letestu's second go-round in Edmonton resulted in something of a career year, as he set new personal bests (albeit not by much) with 16 goals and 35 points in 2016-17. Where he really excelled, though, was the power play -- 11 of those 16 goals came with the man advantage, where he played a significant role despite seeing rather modest bottom-six minutes (14:14) overall. They were opportune goals, too, as six were game-winners. That said, at 32 years old, Letestu doesn't offer much upside beyond what we saw from him last year, especially with a fourth-line role on tap for 2017-18. He’s about the most productive fourth-liner you’ll see, for what that’s worth.
Letestu scored double-digit goals for the fifth time last season, but also ended up with a disastrous minus-21 rating for a sad Oilers squad. The 31-year-old is a safe bet to end up on the fourth line, as the Oilers sport three younger and more talented options down the middle in Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. While there has been talk of improvement for this coming campaign, it’s best not to believe it until you see it with Edmonton. That means Letestu’s downside is likely to outweigh his limited upside.
Letestu was a free-agent addition for Edmonton this offseason, after offering solid play for Columbus the previous few seasons. He's in line to pivot the fourth line with the Oilers, but doesn't figure to climb much higher than that with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Connor McDavid, Anton Lander, and Leon Draisaitl all offering more offensive upside from the center spot.
Letestu played in all 82 games last season and scored a career-high 34 points, thanks in large part to his skill in the faceoff circle getting him enough power play time to pick up 11 power play points. Those opportunities could dwindle as the young roster around him improves, but Letestu at the very least has found a home on the Blue Jackets' fourth line.
Useful jack-of-all-trades forward Letestu led the Blue Jackets in goals and was second in scoring last season with 13 tallies and 27 points in 46 games. The team continues to improve its depth though, and with youngsters Ryan Johansen and Boone Jenner pushing for playing time up the middle, Letestu could see his shifts decline. Last year's pace was his ceiling, not the start of a new trend.
Letestu scored 11 goals and 24 points in 51 games with Columbus after coming over from the Penguins. He's miscast as a top-six forward, but the Blue Jackets' lack of depth up front will likely continue to get him chances on scoring lines for the time being. He struggled in a larger role with Pittsburgh at the beginning of last season after putting up 14 goals and 27 points in the 2010-11 season.
In 2010, Letestu provided an early-season spark for Pittsburgh and may have created unrealistic fantasy-world expectations in the process. The third- or fourth-line center scored seven points in his first seven games before settling in with 20 points (10, 10) in the next 57 contests. Letestu is neither a physical player (63 hits) nor an aggressive one (13 penalty minutes). Instead, he's a smart player whose value lies more within the framework of the Penguins than on fantasy teams.
Letestu's pedestrian numbers in the NHL last year -- one goal in 10 games -- don't do justice for the way he responded when called up. Letestu, who scored 23 goals and 55 points in 63 AHL contests, earned the trust of coach Dan Bylsma for his dirty work in the corners. He'll likely start the season with the Baby Pens, but he could very easily see 10 minutes or so on a third or fourth line for extended periods of time with Pittsburgh in 2010-11.
More Fantasy News
At practice Monday
CWinnipeg Jets  Free Agent
July 13, 2020
Letestu (illness) took part in Monday's training camp session, Ken Wiebe of Sportsnetreports.
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Back from conditioning
CWinnipeg Jets  Free Agent
Illness
March 16, 2020
Letestu (illness) returned from his conditioning assignment with AHL Manitoba on Monday.
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Headed out on assignment
CWinnipeg Jets  Free Agent
Illness
March 10, 2020
Letestu (illness) was activated off injured reserve and sent down to AHL Manitoba on a conditioning assignment Monday.
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Gets back on ice Monday
CWinnipeg Jets  Free Agent
Illness
March 2, 2020
Letestu (illness) participated in a 30-minute skate Monday, Mitchell Clinton of JetsTV reports. Head coach Paul Marice said that was "all he can handle" at this point.
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Facing six-month absence
CWinnipeg Jets  Free Agent
Illness
October 31, 2019
Letestu has been diagnosed with Myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart, and will be out for six months, Rick Ralph of TSN 1290 Winnipeg reports.
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