The San Jose Sharks have re-upped right-winger Kevin Labanc to a four-year contract worth $18.9 million.

Kevin Labanc is staying with the @SanJoseSharks for 4 more years. 📝💰#NHLFreeAgency | #NHLonSN pic.twitter.com/mmqtMpBcIe- Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 10, 2020

Labanc';s Bet on Himself Has Paid Off Handsomely

Last July, after notching an impressive 17 goals and 39 assists for 56 points in 2018-19, Labanc inexplicably signed a paltry one-year, $1 million deal with the Sharks after the summation of his entry-level contract. That';s far more modest that even the most modest of bridge deals.Kevin Labanc has cashed in on a four-year contract worth nearly $20 million. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

It was a risky move for Labanc as it required he prove himself all over again in order to cash in on a longer-term deal. His 2019-20 wasn';t nearly as good from a statistical standpoint - 14 goals and 19 assists for 33 points and a negative-33 plus/minus on a poor Sharks team - but it was enough for him to cash in anyway.Labanc Will Be Big Part of Sharks Rebuild

Labanc, a natural playmaker with a good work ethic, will be a player the Sharks rely on to return to competitiveness.

One thing about Kevin Labanc that is absolutely true - he will work hard at his game. Often was on the ice early and one of the last to leave in practice last season.- Kevin Kurz (@KKurzNHL) October 10, 2020

A perennial contender throughout the 2010s, the Sharks finished 29-36-5 in 2019-20 and sold off a number of assets for draft picks after Erik Karlsson went down for the season with a broken thumb and it was clear another long playoff run was not in the cards.

"Kevin brings a rare level of offensive skill and creativity to our line-up and has established himself as a top-six forward in our league," Sharks'; GM Doug Wilson said in a news release. "His Game 7 playoff performance last season is one of the most iconic moments in Sharks history and is a perfect example of the impact he can have on a hockey game.Related: Sharks Must Make Room to Re-Sign Labanc

Originally selected in the sixth-round of 2014 NHL entry draft, the Brooklyn, New York-born Labanc has 50 goals and 149 points in 284 career regular-season games. He has also recorded five goals and 14 assists for 19 points 30 postseason games.

The post Sharks Re-Sign Labanc to Four-Year Contract Extension appeared first on The Hockey Writers.

      

https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/636652458/0/thehockeywriters~Sharks-ReSign-Labanc-to-FourYear-Contract-Extension/
--- SBBSecho 3.11-Linux
* Origin: Palantir * palantirbbs.ddns.net * Pensacola, FL * (24:110/7)