SAN JOSE — No further clarity was provided by the Sharks on Tuesday on the severity of Kevin Labanc’s upper-body injury but coach Bob Boughner wouldn’t rule out surgery as a possible next step for the 26-year-old winger.
Labanc, injured in Saturday’s game with the Dallas Stars and considered week to week, had an MRI on Monday. Boughner said Sharks doctors and trainers were going to be speaking with each other today about the next course of treatment.
Asked specifically if surgery for Labanc is an option, Boughner said, “I have no idea until the doctors and the trainers have their conversation today. So I think everything’s on the table at this point. They’ve got to see what’s the best for Kevin moving forward.”
Labanc was hurt on his first shift in Saturday’s game with the Stars on a hit by defenseman Jani Hakanpaa, and did not return in what became a Sharks’ 2-1 win. Labanc has six points in 21 games this season and has averaged just over 13 minutes of ice time per game.
“Not sure how long he’s going to be out,” Sharks captain Logan Couture said of Labanc. “Hopefully it’s not too long.”
The Sharks will dress Lane Pederson in Labanc’s place, as he’ll start Tuesday’s game with the Seattle Kraken on the fourth line with Jasper Weatherby and Jonah Gadjovich. Pederson, who does not have a point in 15 games with the Sharks’ this season, has been a healthy scratch the last two games.
Pederson will also be on the Sharks’ second power-play unit against the Kraken.
“Good to get him back,” Boughner said of Pederson. “(Labanc’s) was our only right shot (forward) in the lineup there, so putting (Pederson) in, another right shot, was important as well. He’s got speed, he’s fresh. Hopefully, he can generate some momentum on that line.”
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