Labanc could miss rest of the season as a precaution
SAN JOSE >> Kevin Labanc's return to the lineup appeared imminent earlier this week, but now the Sharks are considering shutting the winger down for the rest of the season.
Labanc on Thursday visited the Los Angeles surgeon who performed his shoulder surgery and coach Bob Boughner said the Sharks' medical team has been happy with how the forward has healed.
But with less than a month before the end of the regular season and the Sharks out of playoff contention, Boughner said Labanc might remain out of the lineup for the final 14 games after Saturday to let the shoulder continue to heal.
“I think (out of an abundance of caution), I think there's a chance they want to look at the risk/reward, see how many games are left in the season and is it worth it or not,” Boughner said of a Labanc return. “The more time he has, obviously, the better the rehab process is going to be, so it might come to a point in time where we might shut him down for the season.
“But he feels good. Every day he comes, he's stronger and (the shoulder is in) a really good spot, but it's just a matter of risk/reward at this point.”
Labanc, in the second year of a four-year, $18.9 million contract, hasn't played since Dec. 11 against Dallas when he was injured by a hit into the boards by Stars defenseman Jani Hakanpaa. Labanc has joined the Sharks for on-ice drills in recent days, including Monday and Tuesday when he went through practices with contact.
Labanc on Tuesday sounded excited about a return and added it was important to him to start playing again.
“I just want to get back to competing, winning games, and getting back on the right track, as an organization, a team, and myself,” Labanc said. “So we've got a lot of business to take care of on the ice and I want to help the team as much as I can, and I know I can.”
The Sharks (29-30-8) entered Saturday's game with the Dallas Stars in seventh place in the Pacific Division and 14 points back of the Vegas Golden Knights for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference.
Both defenseman Mario Ferraro and winger Jonathan Dahlen are returning to the Sharks' lineup. Ferraro has missed the last five weeks after he had surgery Feb. 27 to repair a fracture in his lower left fibula, an injury he suffered the day before in a game with the Boston Bruins.
Dahlen has missed the last five games after he was struck in the face by a puck during the Sharks' March 20 game with Arizona.
Labanc had six points in 21 games at the time of his injury. He did not take part in the Sharks' morning skate Saturday at SAP Center.
“I think he wants to play, obviously,” Boughner said. “But the medical team, obviously we have to defer to them. The doctors have all said that it looks good and they're happy. It's time. It's major surgery and it's time, it just needs time.”
GADJOVICH UPDATE >> Forward Jonah Gadjovich, out with an undisclosed injury, took part in Saturday's morning skate but remains day-to-day. Boughner said there is a chance Gadjovich could return to play either Tuesday against Edmonton or Thursday against Calgary, but otherwise will likely be available sometime during the Sharks' five-game road trip from April 9-17.
DAHLEN ON EKLUND >> Dahlen has been keeping a close eye on the Swedish Hockey League series between Timra, his former
team, and Djurgarden, the team that William Eklund, the Sharks' 2021 first-round draft pick, played for this season.
Timra swept Djurgarden 4-0 in the best-of-7 series, so it will remain in the top-tier SHL, while Djurgarden will be relegated to the Allsvenskan, Sweden's second-best league next season.
After he had four assists in nine NHL games, Eklund, 19, was sent back to Sweden by the Sharks in November so they didn't burn the first year of his entry-level contract.
It was hoped this would be a developmental year for Eklund, as he played in 30 games and had 14 points for Djurgarden. He also played in two games for Sweden at the World Junior Championships in December before that was halted over COVID-19 issues.
“He's a young kid. Obviously, it's not easy,” said Dahlen, who talks to Eklund frequently. “So you've got to understand that and I think he's still done a good job this year and gained a lot of experience, so I'm happy for him anyway. I think it's been a good year.”