Leafs Rumors: Francois Beauchemin for Devin Setoguchi Appears to Be In the Works

A substantial rumor has hit the Internet: that the Leafs are set to trade Francois Beauchemin and his bloated contract along with an unnamed prospect to the San Jose Sharks for forward Devin Setoguchi and a third-round pick.

Beauchemin is set to make $3.8 million this season and next, while Setoguchi will become a restricted free agent at year's end, making roughly $1.8 million this season.

The Leafs, who have an abundance of defenseman, are looking to trade one of them in hopes of acquiring some much needed scoring help. Setoguchi, a former 31-goal scorer two seasons ago, has seen his playing time steadily decrease in San Jose and has even fallen to third-line duties, after Sharks prospect Logan Couture exceeded expectations and shifted Joe Pavelski into Setoguchi's role with the team.

Setoguchi, much like many of the Leafs players, is not enjoying a good season offensively only scoring twice in 15 games. However, with increased ice time and a larger role with the Leafs, you could see a spike in production with regard to Setoguchi's production.

On the outside, it looks like a win for the Toronto Maple Leafs; however, if that unnamed prospect is anybody of note, such as Jesse Blacker, Jerry D'Amigo or others, the deal may just as well of shifted to the Sharks.

In related news from today, Beauchemin went out onto the ice for five minutes today and then left and never returned. This may of been an optional skate or Beauchemin may of been injured; however, it appeared from reports, that nothing happened or was wrong when he skated of the ice.

Just to add fuel to the fire.

Feel free to discuss this proposed move below. I am interested in your thoughts on the trade.

http://fans.mapleleafs.nhl.com/topic/56371/t/Setoguchi-3rd-rounder-for-Beauch.html