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Tuesday, 18 January 2011 23:01

Written by Seth Rorabaugh

The Penguins signed forward Mark Letestu to a two-year contract extension worth a total of $1.25 million. He will have a salary cap hit of 625,000 per season.

Letestu, 25, is in his first full NHL season. In 46 games this season, he has 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists). He has been the team's second best faceoff specialist this season with a success rate of 53.7 percent on draws.

Last season, in 10 NHL games, Letestu scored one goal. He saw action in four postseason games last season and recorded one assist.

The Penguins initially signed Letestu as a free agent March 22, 2007.

EN Says: Nice signing. This move and the extension Deryk Engelland signed earlier this season are a testament to the improvement of the Penguins' farm system under Ray Shero.

These are both players who were undrafted. They entered the Penguins' farm system, went through years of development and eventually became viable role players at the NHL level. The Penguins weren't getting that from their farm system before under Craig Patrick.

Letestu has earned his way to this level. He has improved his game step by step and has become a versatile player capable of playing in any situation.

What is really interesting about this move is what it potentially does to Maxime Talbot's status. His strong efforts on the penalty kill aside, what has Talbot brought this season? He's a good locker room guy, but there's been little tangible to his game this season in terms of contributions. We don't want to discount what Talbot brings on penalty kill, but his contributions have been limited this season.

As a restricted free agent this offseason, do the Penguins' cut him loose and direct their limited salary cap space elsewhere?

(Photo: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Comments (6)

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written by 929, January 19, 2011 - 06:29 AM

Regarding Talbot -- my first thought upon hearing about the extension last night was "well, that makes Max Talbot expendable."

Great penalty killer, great locker room guy and obviously no one will forget Game 7 -- but for a cap-strapped team, the money he is going to command can be better used elsewhere.

Letestu has more points, more goals, has a better faceoff percentage and will cost half as much as Max.

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written by Bones, January 19, 2011 - 07:36 AM

Agree with what 929 said regarding Talbot. I love the guy's personality and his contributions in game 7 will never be forgotten but I just don't think a team that is always going to be strapped for cash can afford to commit $1 million + of its salary cap space to a guy that is putting up the kind of numbers Talbot is right now. It's not like there is a shortage of solid penalty killers on the team right now, he would be missed but there are guys that can potentially do what #25 does.

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written by Luiz Mello, January 19, 2011 - 11:25 AM

I fully agree with both previous comments, but thought it's worth mentioning how Mad Max usually elevates his game come playoff time. That's one clutch player there.

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written by Robert Goulet, January 19, 2011 - 11:41 AM

Hey Seth, Engelland was drafted. He was a 6th rounder by New Jersey in 2000.

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written by espo33, January 19, 2011 - 02:15 PM

Robert Goulet- I think Seth means that he was just undrafted by the Pens, like a UFA pick up that was drafted, but still got in the AHL? Maybe he is thinking that?

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written by espo33, January 19, 2011 - 02:31 PM

Actually Talbot will be a UFA not a RFA.

With the signing the real question is how is Letestu going to be used or where? It is pretty apparent Staal is better with Cooke/Kennedy instead of Malkin on a wing. Do they put Cooke/Staal/Malkin and bump Kennedy back with Conner/Letestu where that line was great for a while. Yeah they signed Letestu for 2 more years, but if he is not on the top 3 lines he becomes kind of useless as a 4th liner.

This also doesn't really mean not the end for Talbot, but maybe Adams, Rupp or Asham. Think about it Talbot and Adams are about the same in terms of being a centermen and good PK guy. Adams is much bigger though. I know the team likes to have 2 centermen on lines or at least it seems that way... Dustin Jeffery will probably be slotted to 4th line duty next year leaving 1 or 2 guys out. Tablot has 11 pts (5g), Adams 8 pts (2SH g), Rupp 8 pts (4g) and Asham 9 pts (5g). Talbot makes $1M, Adams $550K, Rupp $825K and Asham $700K. It really depends what they want to do b/c remember Godard is a UFA. If they want that tougher guy they go with Rupp who can fight and probably not resign Asham who is more like a luxary, bring up a guy like Tim Wallace and still keep Talbot/Adams?

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