The bitter disappointment of being eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs has had time to morph into a more reflective tone for Blue Jackets center Mark Letestu. Although the team had their sights set on winning the Stanley Cup, he's seen the strides that they are making to get better.
"Speaking personally," he said, "it meant a lot that we took another step. I think from where the franchise has been, some of the tough times it has gone through and some of the hardships it has seen, I think the expectation was that we would have taken another step back. But, I think that things have changed here.
"We proved that to ourselves by taking another step in the right direction and making the playoffs. Unfortunately, it did not go the way we wanted it to. Hopefully, there were new experiences for guys that they can draw back on when it comes time to start the playoffs next year."
Even though they were eliminated in the first round, the benefit to the team cannot be understated. Remember, this was the youngest team in the league last season and you have to learn to crawl before you can walk.
"It certainly would have been more beneficial to go further (in the playoffs). There are obviously more lessons to be learned that you can only learn with a deeper run in the playoffs. But absolutely, it's more beneficial to play more. The more hockey our young guys get to play, the better they are going to get."
"I think if we can extend some seasons, go two or three rounds into the playoffs and make some Stanley Cup drives, it will only add to their skill set. The sooner they get better, the sooner we are going to be a good hockey team."
Two months after Lestestu was traded to Columbus, Scott Arniel was fired and Todd Richards was named the interim coach in January 2012. He's happy that head coach Todd Richards had his contract extended. By all accounts, Richards is well-liked by the guys in the room and yet holds each and every one of them accountable for their play.
"He's the shot-caller," said Letestu. "To see Todd get locked-up for a few more years makes me happy. He's always trusted me as a player and given me a bigger role than I've had in the past. It's deserved (contract extension) on his part.
"The players get a lot of the credit for the turnaround, but it certainly started when he got the job. And I'm sure that he has plans for us to go even further."
While Letestu was with the Penguins organization, he didn't get as much playing time as he would have liked due to the fact that they had depth down the middle. He saw his role and responsibility increase after arriving in Columbus.
"When I was there (Pittsburgh), there just wasn't the opportunity that presented itself in Columbus. Coming here was a blessing. At the time, the Blue Jackets weren't that deep down the middle and I got an opportunity to play. It's always nice to play under somebody (Todd Richards) that promotes you when you earn it."
The players have had nothing but positive things to say about former assistant coach Dan Hinote. He was full of energy, well-respected and a bridge between the players and the coaching staff in that he wasn't that far removed from playing the game himself.
"I worked pretty closely with him because he ran the penalty kill. So, we talked daily. I think the energy that he brought to the room, pretty much the same way he did as a player... he did a great job. He will be missed, no doubt. Family and personal issues are obviously more important than the game we play. He had a passion for hockey that really helped us enjoy him as a coach. Maybe we'll have him back one day."
While the shared goal for the club is winning the Stanley Cup, what is the next realistic goal for the Blue Jackets? President of Hockey Operations John Davidson has embedded his mantra of building "brick-by-brick" upon the organization, so what does Mark Letestu see as the next realistic step?
"You want to progress," he said. "You want to win a (playoff) series, maybe two. But, I think to set your goal there is pretty short-sighted. I know, as an organization, there has been hardship and it's hard to set your goal of winning the Stanley Cup and have people take you seriously.
"But, that's what we're after. When we set the goal of winning the Stanley Cup that is our goal. What I think we're seeing is that the standards are being set and anything less than that should be a disappointment.
"Obviously, it wasn't a total disappointment in the community this year. But, in the locker room it was. Our goal is to win the Stanley Cup and we fell short. That's something that we have to work at this summer to get ready to take another run at."
He'll be an unrestricted free agent next summer (2015) at the ripe old age of 30. What are his thoughts on playing longer for the Blue Jackets and living in Columbus?
"Nobody knows much about Columbus. Even my family from back home (Elk Point, Alberta, Canada), they're not sure what Columbus has to offer. It's kind of a mystery to some people. But, I've enjoyed my time here and I now make my home in Columbus. I live here because I love the city. My family loves the city, too.
"I relate easily to the people here. I feel like it is home and I've felt that since I was traded here (Nov. 2011). Certainly I would like to play here beyond next year, but sometimes those things aren't in your control. Next season (contract year), really all that I control is what I do on the ice. Hopefully that's enough for them to want to keep me around."
Mark Letestu has become a part of the fabric of Columbus and the Blue Jackets. He knows what this team can do and wants to be a part of it. He exhibits leadership qualities on and off the ice, which is good for the younger players within the organization. And yet, he still sees that he has to work on his game getting better.
"I still think I have room to grow. Winning faceoff percentages is something I need to work on and maybe get in front of a few more blocked shots. The penalty kill is something that I'm going to have to make my living at. That's something, as a team, I would like to see get into the top five or top three in the league."
Mark Letestu is making the most of the opportunity he was given when he was traded. He has taken on the added responsibility with vigor and continues to be a favorite among the fans. His energy and love of the game are not waning in the slightest. He is part of the reason that the goals of this club are being set higher with each year.
