Flames' Setoguchi: New contract is 'a chance to kick-start my career'
Devin Setoguchi spent nearly two months as a free agent before the Calgary Flames inked him to a one-year, $750,000 deal on Saturday, and the veteran forward is grateful for the opportunity to resurrect his career.
The Winnipeg Jets opted to let the 27-year-old walk rather than sign him to a new contract on July 1.
The former 30-goal scorer said it wasn't easy playing the waiting game.
“It’s been a long summer,” Setoguchi told the Calgary Herald. “It’s not easy sitting there and being one of the only free agents out there. I’m just thankful I got it done. It’s going to give me a chance to prove a lot to myself and to the team I’m joining that I can still play and be a leader.
“If I can do that and be effective, and we’ll look back at this and say it was a great decision.”
The Flames believe Setoguchi has "upside and value" because he's a player who is eager to turn things around.
Setoguchi, picked eighth overall by the San Jose Sharks in 2005, tallied a career-high 31 goals and 65 points in 2008-09, but hasn't approached those numbers in five seasons since.
He spent two years with the Minnesota Wild before landing with the Jets last season, scoring 11 goals and adding 16 assists in 75 games with Winnipeg in 2013-14.
"It was a long year,” Setoguchi said. “It’s never fun going through a year and not having the year you want. You almost feel like you disappointed a lot of people, fans, teammates. For me, it was tough but what happened is the past, is the past.
“Now, it’s a new start for me and a chance to kick-start my career again in the right way.”
The Flames have been busy this offseason, signing fellow free agents Mason Raymond and Brandon Bollig. They'll need to replace the scoring of Mike Cammalleri, who signed a five-year deal with the New Jersey Devils on July 1.
“This is a chance for me to come in and prove I can still play and be a very effective player," Setoguchi said. "[There's] just excitement overall.”