Maple Leafs Could Offer Former Sharks Forward Tryout Contract

In an episode of the Leafs Digest podcast released on August 24 , hockey analysts Nick Gosse and Darius Domingues delved into reports linking the Toronto Maple Leafs to forward Kevin Labanc.

The former San Jose Sharks winger is a free agent and could join the team on a professional tryout offer (PTO) ahead of the upcoming NHL season. James Reeve of Leafs Nation first floated the idea of Toronto targeting Labanc.

Labanc, a 28-year-old right-shot forward, could address some of the Leafs' current needs for depth in their forward lineup following the departure of free agent Tyler Bertuzzi.

"Labanc’s best production came when the Sharks were competitive, reaching the Conference Finals," the analysts said. "In a structured team like the Leafs, he might find a better fit and could even regain some of his previous form."

Domingues pointed out that Labanc, who has spent most of his career with the San Jose Sharks, is a solid option for the Maple Leafs, particularly given their tight salary cap situation.

It's also worth noting that Toronto has another pending free agent to deal with in Nick Robertson, who has requested a trade and could leave the Maple Leafs before next season opening another hole in the forward corps.

Gosse and Domingues also mentioned that Labanc, despite a recent downturn in production with only 9 points in 46 games last season, still possesses upside, arguing his prospective Leafs' teammates could boost his production.

They agreed that the risk for the Leafs is low, as a PTO doesn’t require a long-term commitment, allowing the team to evaluate Labanc during training camp before making any decisions and adding him to their regular-season roster.

"There’s no risk in doing it," the analysts said. "If it doesn’t work out, you can let him go and try another option."

According to PuckPedia , the Leafs still have $1.2 million in cap space with 21 of 23 players under contract in their active roster.

Related: Maple Leafs' $92 Million Forward Makes Unexpected Early Return