San Jose Sharks signs Devin Setoguchi to 3-year deal before becoming restricted free agent –NHL Update
Devin Setoguchi, one of San Jose Sharks’ top scorers, was all set to become a restricted free agent in the upcoming National Hockey League (NHL) free agency on the 1st of July. Luckily, Sharks negotiated with him on time and signed him to a 3-year
deal before that could happen.
San Jose again made a quick move to avoid testing the free agency which shows in its previous record when it comes to key players becoming free agents at one point or another.
Setoguchi and the San Jose team management were obviously mutual in their feelings with each other, as the former wanted to stay in the city and the latter wanted to keep him for their club.
Sharks and Setoguchi agreed on a three-year, $9 million contract for the 24-year-old forward on Thursday as announced by the club.
"I couldn't be happier right now", Setoguchi said on a conference call with reporters after the deal was announced. "San Jose is such a great place to play. The organization is great. The team is top-notch. All the way through, it's the best place to play
in the National Hockey League".
Setoguchi remained versatile throughout the 2010-2011 season as he put up 41 points in the regular season which included 22 goals and 19 assists in 72 games played.
San Jose made the Western Conference Finals for the second straight time but lost against Vancouver Canucks in six-games.
It still has not made the finals even once throughout the franchise’s history and is making small tweaks in its team for this purpose.
The Canadian native from Taber, Alberta, remained a big contributor for Sharks during its postseason appearance as he registered 10 points in 18 games including seven goals and three assists.
"He's obviously a very talented player who certainly has shown what he's capable of in the last half of the year and the playoffs", San Jose’s general manager, Doug Wilson, said. "We feel he's an important piece trending in the right direction and we're
happy to have this deal done".
The eighth overall pick in the first round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft still has a lot of seasons remaining in his career and Sharks is certainly one of the best platforms to remain on.
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