Pittsburgh Penguins Trade Mark Letestu To Columbus Blue Jackets

The Pittsburgh Penguins traded center Mark Letestu to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night. Initial reports indicate that the Penguins will receive a fourth round pick from Columbus in exchange for Letestu. The trade will only intensify the speculation that Sidney Crosby's return could be imminent. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Josh Yohe spoke with Letestu over the phone shortly after the trade was announced. The center took the trade in stride and with a logjam at the center position, apparently saw the writing on the wall.

Via Yohe:

I give Dan (Bylsma) credit. He gave me my start as much as I did. It's tough to leave...Joe Vitale was doing good things. Richard (Park) too. I was the odd man out.

Columbus currently has the worst record in the league. As Yohe also noted, the fourth round pick the Pens are receiving will very likely be at the top of the round. The instant analysis and speculation, however, will focus on the Pens unloading Letestu to hopefully make from for Crosby's return.