Seven players from the San Jose Sharks, including Kevin Labanc and Mike Hoffman, did not travel with the team for their final game, marking potentially their last time with the organization as they approach free agency or trade possibilities, amidst a roster overhaul aimed at rejuvenating the team with new prospects.
Several Sharks players are staying behind as the team heads to Western Canada. Yep, their season with the team? It’s over. Curtis Pashelka from The Mercury News spilled the beans. Kevin Labanc, Mike Hoffman, Filip Zadina, Alexander Barabanov, Jacob MacDonald, Jan Rutta, and Mackenzie Blackwood won’t be hitting the ice for the final showdown against the Calgary Flames. And for some, it might just be their last hoorah in San Jose.
Out of the gang, four are hitting unrestricted free agency. One’s looking at restricted free agency. The other two? They’re on board for another year. But here’s the scoop: Labanc, Hoffman, and Barabanov are probably eyeing exits. MacDonald, though, might just stick around as a backup plan for the 2024-25 season.
Zadina’s situation is a bit of a head-scratcher. After racking up 13 goals and 23 points this season, his defensive game might just scare off other teams. If he leaves San Jose, the AHL could be his next stop.
Now, onto the goalies. The Sharks snagged Devin Cooley and Vitek Vanecek at the trade deadline, making Blackwood an interesting piece of trade bait. With a 10-25-4 record this season, he’s not exactly starter material. But as a backup? That could work for a team looking to contend next year.
But let’s not get it twisted. The mass exodus isn’t necessarily bad news. The Sharks have been in a bit of a slump, hitting rock bottom over the last couple of years. It’s high time to clear out the roster. Making room for fresh faces and new talent is the name of the game. After all, San Jose’s got some promising prospects waiting in the wings.
