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Blue Jackets acquire C Letestu from Predators

The Columbus Blue Jackets acquired center Mark Letestu from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 2018 fourth-round draft pick, the teams announced Sunday.

The former Blue Jacket was acquired by the Predators earlier in the day in a trade with the Edmonton Oilers.

Letestu, 33, recorded 19 points (eight goals, 11 assists) with 10 penalty minutes and three power-play goals in 60 games with Edmonton this season. He owns 206 points (92 goals, 114 assists) with 90 penalty minutes in 538 career NHL games with the Oilers, Blue Jackets and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Letestu has registered six seasons with 10 or more goals and 24 or more points. He also has six goals and nine assists in 30 career Stanley Cup playoff contests. In 2016-17, he posted NHL career highs in goals (16), points (35) and power-play goals (11) in 78 games with the Oilers.

"Mark is a very good player who will bring versatility and experience to our lineup," Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said in a statement. "He can play on the power play, kill penalties and is very good in the faceoff circle. He is also a person of very high character who made an impact on and off the ice during his previous time here and we are very happy to bring him back to Columbus."

Letestu spent four seasons with the Blue Jackets from 2011-15, recording 98 points (43 goals, 55 assists) and 36 penalty minutes in 233 games. He was originally acquired by Columbus in a November 2011 trade from the Pittsburgh Penguins, who signed him as a free agent in March 2007.

--Field Level Media