Grier, Labanc Deny Waivers Report

So Kevin Labanc isn’t going on waivers?

That’s the case, after a dramatic Twitter morning, which started with this report from 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

40 minutes late, Seravalli reversed course:

After informing Labanc’s camp that he’ll be placed on waivers today, #sjsharks have reversed course and Labanc is now expected to make his season debut tonight.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) October 19, 2023

San Jose Sharks PR and Kevin Labanc both denied Seravalli’s reports.

“No,” Labanc said this morning, when asked if he or his camp had discussed waivers with the Sharks.

In fact, Labanc was getting ready to play in the San Jose Sharks’ game tonight against the Boston Bruins.

“I didn’t even look. I’m kind of busy,” Labanc said of the Twitter kerfuffle.

Kevin Labanc, still very much a part of #SJSharks pic.twitter.com/CEhX5Meb6w

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) October 19, 2023

San Jose Sharks head coach David Quinn added, as far as he knows, “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.”

Per Mike Grier, Kevin Labanc was never going to be placed on waivers #SJSharks

— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) October 19, 2023

Labanc, after being healthy scratched for the first three games of the season, will draw into the line-up for the first time tonight. Based on practice lines yesterday, he should be skating with Thomas Bordeleau and Filip Zadina.

Labanc should inject some offense into the line-up. Over the course of his seven-year career, he’s averaged exactly half a point per game.

The winger, 27, is entering the last year of his contract and will be a UFA after this season.

San Jose Hockey Now has reached out to Labanc’s agent for comment.