San Jose Sharks deny wanting to place Labanc on waivers, but waive veteran defenseman

SAN JOSE — The San Jose Sharks denied they were ever going to place forward Kevin Labanc on waivers despite a published report that indicated the team was set to do so before later changing its mind.

Frank Seravalli of dailyfaceoff.com tweeted that, per sources, Labanc, 27, would be placed on waivers Thursday prior to the team’s game with the Boston Bruins. Seravalli later tweeted that the Sharks “reversed course” and that Labanc would remain with the team and make his season debut at SAP Center against the Bruins.

But Sharks general manager Mike Grier, in a text message to this news organization, said Labanc was never going to be placed on waivers. Labanc also told reporters Thursday morning that he had not been informed by the Sharks that he was going to be placed on waivers.

The Sharks, though, did place veteran defenseman Radim Simek on waivers on Thursday morning. If Simek clears waivers, he would be assigned to the Barracuda, the Sharks’ AHL affiliate. He is in the final year of a four-year contract that carries a $2.25 million salary cap hit.

Sharks coach David Quinn said Wednesday that Labanc would play against the Bruins with the team hoping to earn its first win of the season.

“I’m happy to be in the lineup and help the team do everything that we can to win the game,” Labanc said. “It’s exciting to be back in the lineup.”

Labanc, drafted by San Jose in 2014, is in his ninth season as a player in the Sharks organization. He is in the final year of a four-year, $18.9 million contract which carries a $4.725 million cap hit.

Check back for updates to this developing story.