Columbus Blue Jackets Trade Deadline Grade for Regular Season Perfomance

The NHL regular season has come to a close, and the Columbus Blue Jackets made quite a few moves at the trade deadline. With the Stanley Cup playoffs just around the corner, it’s time to see how the new acquisitions did to this point.

Mark Letestu

Mark Letestu is the smallest name on this list, however he’s the most well known by Columbus Blue Jackets fans. Letestu is in his second stint with the team and has reached a point where he comfortably fits in on the fourth line in a shutdown forward type of role. While his production has slightly faded since his 35 point season with Edmonton last year, his combined 23 points between Edmonton and Columbus are decent for a bottom line player.

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Most importantly, since arriving in Columbus he is averaging a point every five games with four points through twenty games. Only one of them was a goal however; but the team is certainly hoping that he’ll reach his playoff form from last season with Edmonton where he finished almost a point per game.

After the regular season, Mark Letestu gets a grade of a C level acquisition; while he has contributed well in someways he is not a game changing player.

Ian Cole

Ian Cole was acquired by the Columbus Blue Jackets a few days after Mark Letestu, on the deadline day as their first major move of the day. Cole has found a home on the second pairing with his defensive partner David Savard and has produced well offensively and of course defensively; as he is primarily a shutdown player. Cole’s seven points in twenty games from the blue line have helped the Blue Jackets tremendously as they made a push toward the playoffs.

Ian Cole’s primary issue has been his penalty minutes, through his 20 games in Columbus; he nearly halved his number of minutes from 47 games in Pittsburgh. While this may not have tremendously hurt the team in the regular season; going into the playoffs this could be a major drawback.

After the regular season, Ian Cole has earned a grade of a B+ level acquisiton; the only thing keeping him from reaching the A level would be his penalties.

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Thomas Vanek

At the very last hour of the trade deadline day, the Columbus Blue Jackets made a major splash by adding dynamic goal-scorer and play-maker Thomas Vanek. Vanek finished his nineteen game regular season with the Blue Jackets with a grand total of fifteen points; split almost evenly between goals and assists with seven and eight respectively.

Vanek’s personal numbers are not the only reason he was considered to be the biggest acquisition the Blue Jackets made at the deadline though; his presence also kick started line-mate Boone Jenner and got his scoring touch going once again. Vanek’s performance will certainly be something that could launch the Columbus Blue Jackets into Stanley Cup contention; however he’ll certainly have to avoid a playoff performance like his stint in Minnesota.

After the regular season, Thomas Vanek has earned a grade of an A level acquistion.

Conclusion

Jarmo Kekalainen certainly worked wonders to improve the Columbus Blue Jackets at the trade deadline, and as a result the team as a whole earns a B+ on the trade deadline.