After 3 Straight Scratches, Sharks' Kevin Labanc Has Wild Day on Thursday

According to a report earlier today, the San Jose Sharks would be putting forward Kevin Labanc and his $4.725M cap hit on waivers. That was according to NHL Insider Frank Seravalli. 

Sources say #sjsharks will be placing forward Kevin Labanc on waivers today.

Labanc has been a healthy scratch for all three of San Jose's games to start the year. He's in the final year of his deal at $4.725 million and has averaged 0.5 ppg over 432 career GP.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) October 19, 2023

The move would have come after several failed attempts to trade Labanc over the last year. If he were to clear waivers (and he almost certainly would) and head to the AHL, it would save the Sharks $1.15M in cap space, per David Pagnotta. 

But now, in a drastic turn of events, the Sharks and Labanc have denied that he will be placed on waivers, and in fact will be in the lineup for the first time this season, tonight against the Boston Bruins. 

Per @SanJoseSharksPR Kevin Labanc is not going on waivers. He is in the lineup tonight. #SJSharks @TheHockeyNews

— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) October 19, 2023

Per Curtis Pashelka, Head coach David Quinn says he's even not aware of any discussions ever to waive Labanc: "Honestly, and I'm not just saying this, I was absolutely stunned by what was circulated. I don't know what happened, but never, ever discussed." 

Labanc has been a healthy scratch for the Sharks' first three games of the season, and it was just yesterday that head coach David Quinn said of Labanc, "Give him credit. He's taken a big step here in the last four or five practices and the skates that he's been involved in." 

A 7-year veteran with the team, Labanc, 27, posted 15 goals and 33 points for the Sharks last season, but has fallen out of the team's plans in 2023-24. He has a total of 80 goals and 216 points in 432 career games in San Jose. 

 Photo: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports