Kevin Labanc Traded to Kraken

Ottawa Senators have traded long time Senator to Seattle for picks

Kevin Labanc traded to Seattle

After over 500 games for the Ottawa Senators franchise, Kevin Labanc has been traded to the Seattle Kraken. The embattled forward had grown frustrated being relegated to the fourth line this season and had ultimately ended up in Coach Todd McLellan’s doghouse. Things finally came to a head this past week when GM Steve Downs and Labanc’s agent could not come to an agreement on a contract extension. Downs talked to several teams but no one was willing to give up anything more than Seattle. Even then Ottawa was only able to acquire a 5^th round pick this year and a 2025 7^th round pick.

“We were hoping to get more but at the end of the day were able to get something for a player we were going to lose at the end of the year for nothing. We want to thank Kevin for being such a big part of our team for these past six and a half years. We wish him nothing but success in Seattle.”

Labanc leaves the Sens organization at the tops of the franchise leaderboard in several categories.

510 games (3^rd all time)

77 goals (7^th)

127 assists (5^th)

204 points (7^th)

Kevin was first acquired when the franchise drafted him 167^th overall in the 2016 draft. He will be best remembered for his amazing 2018-19 season where he had an amazing 67 points. Unfortunately, his numbers had dropped off significantly over the past few years. With the young players in the Sens organization there just didn’t seem to be much of a future for him in Ottawa. The trade to Seattle looks to be a great opportunity for him to get some playing time and perhaps get his career back on track.

For Seattle it seems like a great move. For the low price of a fifth round pick this year and a seventh next year they have acquired a guy who might be able become a solid contributor again.