Sharks Ink RFA Setoguchi To $1.8 Million Deal

 

The San Jose Sharks had a plethora of offseason talent issues to handle this summer and did most of their business either prior to or early on in the free agency period. Two matters still lingered for General Manager Doug Wilson, though, and he scratched one of them off the list Saturday afternoon. The Sharks re-signed restricted free agent right wing Devin Setoguchi on a one year deal worth $1.8 million.

“We’re happy to have Devin under contract for next season,” Wilson said in a statement from the Sharks’ official Web site. “He is an important part of our team and we are looking forward to his on-going growth as a player. We have very high expectations for him.”

Setoguchi, 23, is a big time player for the Sharks who should continue to develop into a dynamic top six forward. His production slipped a bit last season after racking up 31 goals and 34 assists for 65 points in 81 games back in 2008-09. Last year, he only tallied 20 goals and 16 assists for 36 points in 70 games played. But he also put up a career-high four game winners, and added five goals and nine points in 15 playoff games during San Jose’s trip to the Western Conference Finals.

Even with his reduced point output, a salary of $1.8 million does seem a bit low. But on a one year deal, he will have next season to prove he can be the 30-goal, 60+-point scorer from two years ago and subsequently earn a better long-term contract for far more money per season.

Wilson’s focus now shifts toward signing Joe Thornton to a contract extension. The 31-year old power forward has one year remaining at $7.2 million.