The San Jose Sharks like many other teams in the league have salary cap issues. With Alexander Barabanov, a pending UFA, having a breakout season with the Sharks, is due a big raise and that means the Sharks will have to cut some salary somewhere else and the player that could be on the way out is Kevin Labanc.
Curtis Pashelka of The Mercury News reports Barabanov is turning himself into one of the San Jose Sharks’ most valuable forwards and will most certainly be due a raise and perhaps a multi-year contract with 37 points in 59 games so far this season.
Pashelka went on to say, the Sharks will have to cut salary to re-sign Barabanov and that player could be Lebanc.
The Sharks will see if there be any takers for Kevin Labanc and his $4.725 million cap hit for the next two seasons. A change in scenery would be beneficial to all parties.
Lebanc, 26, was drafted 171st overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 6th round of the 2014 entry draft. Currently he has a total 183 points in 360 games played, and 14 playoffs points in 30 games played.
If the Sharks decide to go the buyout route this is what it will cost the team:
| SEASON | INITIAL BASE SALARY | INITIAL CAP HIT | BUYOUT COST | SAVINGS | SJS CAP HIT |
| 2022-23 | $5,875,000 | $4,725,000 | $1,958,333 | $3,916,667 | $808,333 |
| 2023-24 | $5,875,000 | $4,725,000 | $1,958,333 | $3,916,667 | $808,333 |
| 2024-25 | $0 | $0 | $1,958,333 | -$1,958,333 | $1,958,333 |
| 2025-26 | $0 | $0 | $1,958,333 | -$1,958,333 | $1,958,333 |
