Trade Speculation: Devin Setoguchi Heading Back To San Jose?
After an outburst of trades at lunch-time on Tuesday, the Winnipeg Jets and San Jose Sharks stirred the pot, with news that Devin Setoguchi may be on his way back to the Sharks from Winnipeg.
Jan 23, 2014; San Jose, CA, USA; Winnipeg Jets right wing Devin Setoguchi (40) checks against San Jose Sharks center Bracken Kearns (38) during the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
TSN’s Bob McKenzie has reported that the Sharks were looking at re-acquiring the 28-year old winger, which has been backed up by San Jose sending a scout to the Jets’ game against the New York Islanders on Tuesday night.
WPG and SJ have had some discussions on Devin Setoguchi returning to Sharks. Let's see if it gets done. #tsn #Tradecentre
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 4, 2014
Setoguchi, who picked up from the Minnesota Wild this off-season, has been disappointing overall, scoring only 11 goals and 26 points in 61 of the Jets’ 62 games this season. Setoguchi was brought in to Winnipeg expecting to play top-six minutes, but after struggling to find chemistry with pivots Bryan Little or Mark Scheifele, he currently plays on the Jets’ third line aside Olli Jokinen and Dustin Byfuglien.
Setoguchi played for the Sharks from 2007-2011, with a 30-goal campaign in 2008-09. Setoguchi has been at the forefront of trade rumors for over a month now, after boosting his stock recently with increased contribution.
The Jets would be looking for futures with the pick, as they have a good chance to acquire a bottom-six forward before the trade deadline. Rumors are swirling that Cory Conacher, who was waived by the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday morning, may be an option if the 24-year old makes it far enough down the waiver wire.
Setoguchi is in the final year of his contract, which pays him $3.25 million. With the Jets unlikely to re-sign him in the summer, trading him makes a lot of sense for a team that’s main focus is for the road ahead. The Sharks would give up a draft pick or prospect, and expect Setoguchi to rediscover his chemistry in a depth role with the club, who are playoff-bound and looking to improve on last year’s semi-finals playoff exit. Setoguchi could make up for some of the scoring depth lost with rookie Tomas Hertl‘s season-ending knee injury.
As always, thanks for reading. For more Winnipeg Jets conversation and live game updates follow us on twitter @hkyattheforks.