Speculation: 2023-24-25 Sharks Roster Discussion

[The Nemesis]

Yeah, I had to laugh when I saw that. Labanc is not going to get a one-way NHL contract offer next year.

But at the same time, what else is he going to say? “I’m super cooked, can’t keep up with NHLers, I’ve never even attempted to play defense, and every point I ever scored was a byproduct of Joe Thornton”? He’s gone to the Marc-Edouard Bure school of manifesting.

If there was ever a time for one of those stock "boring hockey player" answers, this was it.

"I haven't played up to my standards and I'm going to work hard and do my best to fix that going forward. Because at the end of the day I can only control how hard I work"

Boring and mostly meaningless but at least it doesn't make him look delusional or kinda entitled.

 

[tiburon12]

If there was ever a time for one of those stock "boring hockey player" answers, this was it.

"I haven't played up to my standards and I'm going to work hard and do my best to fix that going forward. Because at the end of the day I can only control how many pucks I get in deep"

Ftfy

 

[hohosaregood]

i feel like i haven't seen Labanc play at all this season even when I know he's in the lineup

 

[OrrNumber4]

Labanc's been very, very disappointing. To me, he's not just a player who's in a bad situation or has poor coaching, but a guy who's actively not putting in the effort; actively not making any changes in his game to become a more useful player.

From his recent quotes, he comes off as someone who isn't willing to take personal responsibility.

I'll say that one knock against Grier/management is their unwillingness to just waive and demote him. Either they don't have the guts to have that much dead salary, or they think/thought Labanc could build back value.

 

[Sombastate]

Very low! Our defense is healthy and I think they want the Cuda to at least try to get back into the playoff hunt.

Guess I’m spending time with my girlfriend

 

[Shark Finn]

Labanc's been very, very disappointing. To me, he's not just a player who's in a bad situation or has poor coaching, but a guy who's actively not putting in the effort; actively not making any changes in his game to become a more useful player.

From his recent quotes, he comes off as someone who isn't willing to take personal responsibility.

I'll say that one knock against Grier/management is their unwillingness to just waive and demote him. Either they don't have the guts to have that much dead salary, or they think/thought Labanc could build back value.

Grier has had no problem cutting ties with DW-era players and this season looks to be the last straw regarding LaBanc.

 

[OrrNumber4]

Grier has had no problem cutting ties with DW-era players and this season looks to be the last straw regarding LaBanc.

Feels like the last straw should have been last season; that's my point. It's the same with Vlasic.

 

[DG93]

Labanc's been very, very disappointing. To me, he's not just a player who's in a bad situation or has poor coaching, but a guy who's actively not putting in the effort; actively not making any changes in his game to become a more useful player.

From his recent quotes, he comes off as someone who isn't willing to take personal responsibility.

I'll say that one knock against Grier/management is their unwillingness to just waive and demote him. Either they don't have the guts to have that much dead salary, or they think/thought Labanc could build back value.

My money is on the latter. They demoted Simek and Lindblom pretty quickly and have kept them in the AHL, so I don't see why they wouldn't do that with Labanc.

 

[Jargon]

Guess I’m spending time with my girlfriend

Wouldn’t count on it - she’s being called up to play center with Hoffman and Kunin.

 

[Hodge]

I'll say that one knock against Grier/management is their unwillingness to just waive and demote him. Either they don't have the guts to have that much dead salary, or they think/thought Labanc could build back value.

What difference does it make? It's not like Labanc is blocking anyone on the Barracuda from a deserved promotion.

 

[Gecklund]

What difference does it make? It's not like Labanc is blocking anyone on the Barracuda from a deserved promotion.

Yeah I mean Lindblom specifically really didn’t have a chance to recoup value. Labanc at least had that chance. You need guys to fill out spots and the only argument you could maybe make is Gushchin or Bordeleau but I think both should be in the AHL right now.

 

[coooldude]

Feels like the last straw should have been last season; that's my point. It's the same with Vlasic.

My money is on the latter. They demoted Simek and Lindblom pretty quickly and have kept them in the AHL, so I don't see why they wouldn't do that with Labanc.

Grier seems to be positioning himself as a player-respecting GM, which is pretty critical to attract players to our high-tax market.

He's going to make tough decisions, but he's not going to do it without some respect for the player. He's not going to strong-arm Hertl/Couture to waive their NMC's (or Burnsie or EK), and he's not going to send Vlasic to ride the bus in the AHL after a storied career. That said, he is going to be OK with Quinn scratching both their asses when they don't put in good effort, and he's going to be OK looking for a trade or cutting ties if there's no value in the player. He's practical but respectful, so far.

Other players will take notice. Simek and Lindblom didn't "prove it" in the NHL like Vlasic and Labanc, as an example. So even though we may be frustrated, a) it's not a huge difference for the squad where we are right now and b) it's an investment in a reputation around the league for being a respectful GM/org.

 

[sharski]

Labanc has had like 5 chances to prove he's worth keeping or trading for like cmon bro what is going through your head

 

[Hangemhigh]

Now I got a notification that Couture is out week to week with a nagging groin injury. Just in time for the trade deadline too.

Sharks might be more cursed than the 49ers.

49ers are only cursed because they still call themselves San Francisco when they practice and play 40 miles away. So they can't win because they would want to have a parade in San Francisco instead of Santa Clara. They are never going to win until they fix that obvious problem.

 

[Jargon]

I think if someone would just give me the opportunity, I too can prove that I can play in an NHL lineup.

 

[OrrNumber4]

What difference does it make? It's not like Labanc is blocking anyone on the Barracuda from a deserved promotion.

I think it is important from the perspective of team culture/team-building. Having someone like Labanc on the team is not good for the culture.

 

[Groo]

49ers are only cursed because they still call themselves San Francisco when they practice and play 40 miles away. So they can't win because they would want to have a parade in San Francisco instead of Santa Clara. They are never going to win until they fix that obvious problem.

The 49ers are cursed due to the foul stabbing of the back between the sister and the house of York of our beloved Eddie D.

 

[Sombastate]

Wouldn’t count on it - she’s being called up to play center with Hoffman and Kunin.

I don't think you guys want her to ruin the tank

 

[LadyStanley]

 

[Barrie22]

Get your heavy winter coat out of storage, the only team that will be interested is a team in Russia.

 

[OrrNumber4]

Don't look now, but Fabian Zetterlund might be having a better season than Dawson Mercer...

 

[fasterthanlight]

Could he have done that like... 3 seasons ago?

 

[Mr Fahrenheit]

Starting to really think that the Penguins will pick in the top 10, give us an unprotected 2025 pick and be even worse next season

 

[Pinkfloyd]

Could he have done that like... 3 seasons ago?

I'm sure they were doing that then but even then nobody wants a useless soft winger who doesn't really contribute anything if he's not scoring.

 

[Mafoofoo]

Labanc is gonna be top line forward and all star next year in the AHL