Setoguchi Shipped Off To Minnesota A Day After Signing New Deal

Apparently, the San Jose Sharks took a day to think about it and decided they had no interest in paying Devin Setoguchi the $9 million owed to him over the next three years, as per the terms of the new deal agreed upon between the two parties just one day ago. On the night of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, the Sharks shipped Setoguchi and his new contract, as well as a this year's first round (28th overall) draft pick and last year's first round (28th overall) selection Charlie Coyle, to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for defenseman Brent Burns and a second round selection in 2012.

"Brent is an elite first-pairing defenceman that is just coming into his prime," Sharks general manager Doug Wilson said in a press release. "We feel that he gives our blue line tremendous depth and versatility and will augment our existing core. He combines a dangerous offensive prowess with an abrasive presence in the defensive zone."



Burns, a 26-year old 2011 All Star, scored a whopping 17 goals last year and had 46 points overall. Both were career-highs and something that can only be improved as Burns enters the prime of his career. He will join Dan Boyle as two key blueliners capable of responsible work on both ends of the ice, though Burns brings with him the added benefit of size at 6'5", 219 pounds.

Burns enters the final year of his current contract, making $4 million in salary and counting as a $3.55 million cap hit to San Jose's payroll. It will be a priority for San Jose to get Burns inked long-term or face losing him to unrestricted free agency as early as next summer.

Setoguchi joins a lower pressure situation in Minnesota, where maybe a change of scenery can help him become a more consistent player. The Wild are always yearning for more scoring despite their defense-first mentality and Setoguchi should have little problem offering up top six forward numbers with them.

With the 28th overall pick, the Wild grabbed center Zack Phillips from the Saint John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL, where he played the pivot alongside third overall selection from the Florida Panthers Jonathan Huberdeau.

Setoguchi, Markov Get Three-Year Deals to Stay Put

The blockbuster news of the day is naturally Philadelphia dealing away their top players for the ability to sign goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov. But the San Jose Sharks and Montreal Canadiens were also busy in this pre-draft phase of the NHL offseason, tendering three-year deals to particular pending free agents.

The Sharks inked right wing Devin Setoguchi, who was set to become a restricted free agent on July 1, to a three-year deal worth $9 million. He will count as an annual $3 million cap hit, but will make $2.75 million next season, $3 million in 2012-13 and $3.25 million in 2013-14. Setoguchi earned $1.8 million on a one-year deal with the Sharks last season.

He is coming off a 22-goal campaign that saw him heat up in the second half of the season after leaving a bit to be desired in the early goings. He added an impressive sevel goals in the playoffs, including two overtime game winners. The Sharks would love to see the 24-year old put up more of a consistent effort over the course of an 82-game schedule. But what he is able to produce when on his game makes him worth the extension, which could even be deemed a nice little discount if he gets back to his 2008-09 form.

The Sharks now possess a payroll of $55,337,500, leaving them with just under $9 million in cap space to fill up the roster.

Montreal also dished out a three-year contract of their own. Despite racking up injuries that only allowed him to play a total of 52 games over the last two seasons, defenseman Andrei Markov decided to avoid unrestricted free agency and instead re-upped with the team he's played for his entire career for $17.25 million. He will see $5.75 million in each year of the deal, which is equal to what he made in each of the last four seasons and the annual cap hit against the Canadiens' payroll.

Drafted by Montreal in the sixth round (162nd overall), Markov has spent each of his 10 NHL seasons with the organization. Unfortunately, knee injuries have been a detriment to him and have caused the 32-year old, two-time All Star to miss all but seven games last season. He suffered a season-ending injury to his right one back on Nov. 13. Montreal is obviously hoping Markov can avoid the bad luck that has plagued him in the health department recently, as he brings a strong offensive presence from the blue line - especially on the power play - to their lineup. In his last "healthy" year in 2008-09, Markov potted 12 goals and 52 assists for 64 points in 78 games. He notched career-highs of 16 goals and 10 power play markers a season earlier.

The Canadiens still have just under $15 million left to play around with under the salary cap.

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.