Dominant at the New Jersey Devils camp, it was rather with the Columbus Blue Jackets that Kevin Labanc found work.
Invited to the Newark team’s training camp, Labanc amassed seven points, including six goals, in four games during the preparatory calendar.
This was enough to attract the attention of the Blue Jackets, who have glaring needs on offense due in particular to the tragic death of Johnny Gaudreau.
Labanc signed a one-year contract worth $775,000.
This agreement incidentally allows the Blue Jackets to exceed the salary floor. The National Hockey League had already ruled that it would not penalize the Jackets if they did not reach the floor to start the season.
“Kevin Labanc has been a productive offensive player in this league for a long time. He has an excellent shot and playmaking skills, and with his profile, we believe he will fit well into our group.
Labanc’s early career was more productive with seasons of 40 and 56 points, but his production dipped in recent campaigns. In his career, he has 225 points in 478 games. Last year, he was limited to nine points in 46 games, in addition to a differential of -27.
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