Sharks' Kevin Labanc Out After Slew-foot Takedown

From the time he was a healthy scratch for the first 3 games of the season, it's been a rough go for San Jose Sharks forward Kevin Labanc. He's registered just two assists in 13 games, is a minus-8, has been the subject of trade rumors, and now has been knocked out of action due to the slew-foot takedown he suffered at the hands of Vancouver Canucks winger Nils Hoglander on Monday.

Referees assess Nils Höglander a match penalty for attempt to injure for this slewfoot on Kevin Labanc.

It's the right call. #Canucks pic.twitter.com/jEMxNxSFCM

— Daniel Wagner (@passittobulis) November 21, 2023

Labanc is labeled day-to-day for now, and is out with an upper-body injury after that move, for which Hoglander was assessed a match penalty, and later a maximum fine from the NHL ($2,864) but no suspension. (The maximum fine is 50% of a player's average daily salary, or $5,000, whichever is less).

The 27-year-old Labanc had 15 goals and 33 points in 72 games with the Sharks last year. He'll be an unrestricted free agent after the season, as his four-year, $4.725 AAV contract comes to an end. At the rate his season is unfolding, he won't be going into the open market with the best credentials. 

In his 8-year career with San Jose, Labanc has 218 points (80 goals) in 445 games.