8-year NHL veteran Kevin Labanc forced to sign PTO to keep career alive
8-year NHL veteran Kevin Labanc is forced to sign a professional tryout to keep career in North America alive.
Kevin Labanc became an unrestricted free agent back on July 1st and has gone unsigned all summer. With training camps opening up in a matter of days, it appears that Kevin Labanc has found his new home, at least temporarily.
According to James Nichols, Kevin Labanc will be signing a professional tryout (PTO) with the New Jersey Devils.
New Jersey Hockey Now has since confirmed the report with multiple sources." Nichols said.
Joining the Devils will almost be a homecoming for Kevin Labanc, who grew up roughly half an hour away from New Jersey's arena in Newark. Jonny Lazarus of B/R Open Ice said that Labanc used to skate at the Devils' practice facility during the summers in his early NHL days.
Labanc, 28, spent eight seasons with the San Jose Sharks, who drafted him in the sixth round back in 2014. After having surgery in late 2021, Labanc had a tough time bouncing back and this past season, registered just two goals and nine points in 46 games.
The UFA forward is hoping that he'll be able to prove himself to the Devils coaching staff, led by Sheldon Keefe, during training camp and preseason games in order to land a one-year deal with the team. If he's able to show that he's healthy and able to compete at an NHL-level, there's no doubt he'll land a contract with the Devils, most likely at the league's minimum salary of $775,000.
| POLL | ||
Will Kevin Labanc earn an NHL contract with the Devils at the end of training camp? | ||
| Yes | 8 | 32 % |
| No | 17 | 68 % |
| List of polls | ||
