Veteran centreman Mark Letestu has been traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets by way of the Nashville Predators.
The Edmonton Oilers acquired forward Pontus Aberg from the Predators in exchange for Letestu. Nashville then traded Letestu to Columbus for a 2018 fourth-round draft pick, the club announced Sunday.
Barring another deal, Letestu will return to the Blue Jackets, for whom he played 233 games over four seasons. His tenure in Columbus remains his longest with any NHL club, having finished his stint with the Oilers after 220 appearances.
The 33-year-old Letestu has eight goals and 19 points to his name this season, with a total of 34 goals and 79 points through his two seasons as an Oiler. Originally signing with Edmonton as a free agent prior to the 2015-16 season, he’ll enter unrestricted free agency this summer.
TRADE The #Oilers have acquired forward Pontus Aberg from @PredsNHL in exchange for forward Mark Letestu. pic.twitter.com/0f8xBpbgTg
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) February 25, 2018
Edmonton receives the 24-year-old Aberg, drafted in the second round (37th overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft by Nashville. The winger has two goals and eight points through 37 games this season, alongside six points through four AHL appearances in 2017-18.