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A report from CTV Calgary on Tuesday indicated that the Maple Leafs could be adding free agent winger Devin Setoguchi to the training camp roster.
The 28-year-old forward went scoreless in 12 games with the Flames last season before being placed on waivers and demoted to the AHL in late November and could be in line for an invitation to Toronto’s camp next month without a contract, as former Leaf and current Calgary winger Mason Raymond did two summers ago.
Setoguchi recognized and dealt with an unknown substance abuse problem at the end of last season and has straightened out his life. The 2005 eighth overall pick has been “clean and sober” since March, got married last weekend and has renewed optimism that he can restart his NHL career.
“It’s been a real long road, but I’m feeling great,” Setoguchi said on Tuesday. “It’s the best I’ve felt in a long time. And I’ve had a lot of clarity and a lot of eye-opening stuff happen…So I’m going into camp with a clear head and I’m feeling really special.”
If an invite is indeed extended, Setoguchi could prove to be another hurdle that prevents any young Leafs prospect from making the NHL roster to start the season.
With Nathan Horton likely out for the entire season, the possible addition of Setoguchi would give Toronto 15 forwards on one-way contracts and another pending unrestricted free agent who could attract interest from another NHL team near the trade deadline if the former 30-goal scorer finds his scoring touch once again.
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Leafs 2013 top pick Frederik Gauthier quite possibly will begin his career with the Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL, not due to a reflection of the big two-way center’s prospects of being an NHLer down the line, but as part of the club’s developmental model to use the Solar Bears as an introductory level to the pros.
“For sure I’m going to do my best but it’s up to (management) to choose where to put me." Gauthier said to reporter
Kyle Cicerella. "Wherever it is I’ll be comfortable.”
Gauthier played in Rimouski for most of the 2014-15 regular season and QMJHL Playoffs with wingers Christopher Clapperton and Michael Joly.
Clapperton(a 2013 Florida 5th round pick) scored 35 goals last season and signed a one-year AHL contract with the Marlies this summer. Joly tallied 26 goals in 45 games and 12 playoff goals in the Oceanic’s run to the Memorial Cup round robin and received an invite to the Leafs Rookie Tournament in London, ON next month and could earn an AHL deal as well.
If things fall into place, the 20-year-old center could be made even more comfortable by playing with some familiar linemates.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen, you never know, but maybe (the organization) puts us together,” Gauthier said. “If not we’ll just work hard and see what happens.”
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