In a season where many San Jose Sharks forwards hit career highs in points, Kevin Labanc’s own career season may not always take center stage, but as Joe Thornton gets older (allegedly) Labanc’s emergence as a pass-first forward and a half-wall sniper on the power play may increase in importance. That is, of course, assuming he stays a Shark after hitting July 1 as a restricted free agent (RFA) in an off-season with an infinity percent increase in offer sheets around the league compared to the past six years.
Labanc’s 17 goals and 56 points in 82 games were a career high, surpassing his 40 points in 77 games in 2017-18.