NHL Trade Rumors: Sharks Interested in a Devin Setoguchi Reunion?
By Eric He
Devin Setoguchi had his best seasons in the NHL as a member of the San Jose Sharks, and there is a possibility that he returns to San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Devin Setoguchi had his best seasons in the NHL as a member of the San Jose Sharks, and there is a possibility that he returns to San Jose.
According to Bob McKenzie of TSN, the Sharks and Winnipeg Jets have had discussions regarding Setoguchi begin traded to the Sharks by Wednesday’s trade deadline.
As pointed out by Curtis Pashelka of the San Jose Mercury News, the Sharks would have to send back a player or two to the Jets, as Setoguchi makes $3 million this season and the Sharks are straddling up tight on the salary cap. Possibly trade candidates for the Sharks could be Brad Stuart, Adam Burish, or even Martin Havlat, although it might be hard for the Sharks to convince the Jets to take any of those players.
The 27-year-old forward has bounced around since being traded from the Sharks to the Wild in the Brent Burns deal before the 2011-2012 season. He spent two seasons with the Wild before being dealt to the Jets last offseason. After playing 44 games his rookie season, Setoguchi exploded in his second year with the Sharks, scoring 31 goals in 2008-2009. However, his production has since declined. He scored 20 and 22 goals in his next two seasons with the Sharks, respectively, before being traded.
Setoguchi has 11 goals and 15 assists in 61 games this season for the Jets.
Do the Sharks need Setoguchi? Perhaps he would be a candidate to replace the injured Tomas Hertl and play alongside Joe Thornton on the top line, where he thrived back in 2008-2009. Setoguchi fits the bill of a rental player, as he will be an unrestricted free agent after the season.
We’ll see what GM Doug Wilson has up his sleeve. Last year before the deadline, he pulled off a few magic tricks by trading away Ryane Clowe and Douglas Murray and bringing in Raffi Torres, moves that have paid enormous dividends.
This year, we could see the return of our beloved Seto.