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Toronto Maple Leafs Rumours: Devin Setoguchi to Attend Training Camp

By David Morassutti

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Devin Setoguchi looks to the Toronto Maple Leafs in hopes of getting career back on track

The Toronto Maple Leafs have earned a reputation over the past few seasons for signing players to one year contracts, and making them look like the best bargains of free agency. Players like Daniel Winnik, Mason Raymond, Clarke MacArthur, Mike Santorelli and David Booth are examples of players who came to Toronto, after having a tough time finding an opportunity to play.

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It proved to be a smart decision in most cases, as many of them received big pay raises in free agency. Now players like Shawn Matthias Mark Arcobello, and Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau will try to do the same this upcoming season, and it looks like another player could be added to that list.

Devin Setoguchi, a former eighth overall pick in the 2005 draft, is apparently looking to break into the league again, after a failed campaign last season with the Calgary Flames, which only lasted 12 games. Apparently, one of the teams Setoguchi has been in contact with is the Leafs, as reported by Glen Campbell of CTV.

Now while a formal contract has not been signed, it seems as if Setoguchi will attend training camp on a tryout basis, as reported by the Hockey News. After a breakout season in 2008-09 where he registered 65 points in 81 games with the San Jose Sharks, Setoguchi has been unable to put up more than 50 points since.

Setoguchi was traded to the Minnesota Wild in a deal that sent Brent Burns the other way. After two seasons with the Wild, Setoguchi landed a deal with the Winnipeg Jets, but after a mediocre season, he tried to get back on the track with the Flames.

Sep 23, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (62) skates against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

However, he was unable to register a point in 12 games. It is safe to say the pressure of following up the 65 point season has become too much to overcome for Setoguchi, which could explain his substance abuse issues.

He got married this summer, with former teammates deciding to put on a performance. With all these personal issues behind him, now it looks like he will have a clearer head moving forward.

What this does for the Leafs is afford younger players a chance to go back to the Toronto Marlies, where they get the ice time needed. Players like William Nylander, Connor Brown, Kasperi Kapanen, Casey Bailey, Zach Hyman and Frederik Gauthier will have a tough task ahead of them, especially with all these veteran players on one year deals.

If Setoguchi gets his chances, he should score 15-20 goals. However, we’ll have to wait until training camp and a couple of preseason games, to see if he has the potential to get back to putting up 40 points.

In 2013-14, Raymond signed a professional tryout contract with the Leafs, after scoring 22 points in his last season with the Vancouver Canucks. He responded with a 45 point season, playing in all 82 games.

This is something the Leafs will hope Setoguchi can bring to the team, especially if he earns time on the powerplay. This will give Mike Babcock more options to work with in his top six – while it may not be full of star power, these players will try their best at least.

If Setoguchi does play for the Leafs, what should be the expectations for him? Will he be used as trade bait if he is able to bounce back? 

Next: The stalled evolution of Jake Gardiner

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