One of the 2016-17 season’s biggest reclamation projects just took a turn for the worse. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman is reporting that the Los Angeles Kings have placed Devin Setoguchi on waivers today. The veteran winger was back in the NHL after spending the majority of the 2014-15 season in the minors with Calgary’s AHL affiliate, the Adirondack Flames, and then went overseas to play in the NLA with HC Davos in 2015-16. Setoguchi joined the Kings in training camp on a PTO and was able to earn a contract and a roster spot with an impressive preseason display. However, things have gone downhill since then.
The eighth overall pick by the San Jose Sharks in 2005 and a three-time 20-goal scorer, the Kings expected more of a scoring punch from Setoguchi. Instead, he has struggled to bring much to the table with just four goals and eight assists through 45 games and a -5 rating. Setoguchi does not play a fourth-line checking game, but is also not producing top-nine numbers; it’s a narrative that we have seen before from him. Setoguchi ran himself out of Minnesota, Winnipeg, and Calgary by not scoring enough and also not having the ability or willingness to play a grittier, high-energy style. Setoguchi has been a non-factor on the King’s checking line recently; he has three assists in his last five games but has not scored a goal since mid-December. Despite L.A.’s lack of forward depth, they have decided to move on, likely planning to use AHL prospects until they can acquire a veteran or two at the Trade Deadline.
This is the second time Los Angeles has put a veteran winger on waivers this season. Ironically due in part to Setoguchi’s surprising performance and early-season success, the team posted Teddy Purcell after he had played in just 12 games with the team. Purcell has been on fire in the AHL and is now a trade candidate for the Kings. Perhaps they are hoping Setoguchi follows in his footsteps, but it seems doubtful. Purcell has a track record of consistent NHL success, while Setoguchi does not. Purcell’s demotion was a setback, while Setoguchi’s could signal the end of his NHL career.