Eyes On Isles
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Islanders: Three San Jose Sharks trade target to pursue at trade deadline

By Michel Anderson

VANCOUVER, BC - JANUARY 18: Timo Meier #28 of the San Jose Sharks skates with the puck during NHL action against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on January 18, 2020 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC - JANUARY 18: Timo Meier #28 of the San Jose Sharks skates with the puck during NHL action against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on January 18, 2020 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 25: Kevin LaBanc #62 of the San Jose Sharks waits for play to resume against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on October 25, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Sharks 4-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 25: Kevin LaBanc #62 of the San Jose Sharks waits for play to resume against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on October 25, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Sharks 4-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

Kevin Labanc | LW, RW

Stats: 50GP, 11G, 14A, 25Pts

I didn’t think that the San Jose Sharks were going to be able to keep Kevin Labanc on the roster and sign some of their veterans like Joe Thornton. Unless Labanc took some sort of discount on his bridge deal. And that’s exactly what happened.

Labanc signed a single year extension for $1 million to give the Sharks one more kick at the can. And it failed spectacularly.

Not only is the Brooklyn native on pace for 41 points, well below the 56 he put up last season, but the Sharks are spiraling to the bottom of the NHL. Big decisions need to be made with the roster. Like, how will Doug Wilson approach that handshake agreement he made with Labanc when that single year extension was negotiated?

The Islanders could use Labanc to bolster their right side. Jordan Eberle is the only recognized right-wing currently on the team (Cal Clutterbuck would count if healthy).

Labanc is young, talented, and would be under team control for a number of years. He just turned 24 this past December. Labanc is the type of player that on his own wouldn’t return a first-round pick, but he’s not far off either.

He’s an exciting young player that could add that dynamism the Islanders need in their top-six. Although with a career-high 17 goals (he’s on pace for 18 this year) he’s not exactly the goal-threat the Isles looking for.

But getting the chance to add a talented young player is never one you should pass on lightly. The Islanders have a shot here to see bring in Labanc. They need to try.

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