Mar 13, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Mark Letestu (55) against the Edmonton Oilers at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets won 5-4 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Center: Mark Letestu (2014-2015 cap hit: $1.3m)
Letestu would be a solid addition to the Rangers’ 4th line, giving Dominic Moore some healthy competition in the faceoff circle. Letestu has won 52.9% of the faceoffs he’s taken in 2014-2015, while Moore won 54.5% this past regular season. He won’t score too many points (7 goals and 6 assists in 54 games), but for a team that has Stepan, Derick Brassard, Kevin Hayes, and Dominic Moore as their centermen, they don’t necessarily need more help down the middle.
But playing Letestu on the wing with Moore would be more beneficial than hurtful, especially when Moore gets kicked out of a faceoff. One natural center gets moved, and another one comes in to replace him. If anything, he’s the 13th forward that’ll step in when a regular is injured, and if a center is out of the lineup, Letestu will fill that role nicely.
Next: Right Wing