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Kevin Labanc News
Labanc (upper-body) missed practice on Wednesday and is considered out indefinitely.

Labanc has been in and out of the lineup for the Blue Jackets the past several weeks and will be sidelined indefinitely due to an upper-body injury. The 29-year-old has 12 points (2G / 10A) in 34 games this season but has only two points (1G / 1A) in his last 21 games.

Kevin Labanc
Labanc will draw back into Columbus' lineup in Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

The Blue Jackets will return to the traditional 12-forward, six-defenseman formation on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins, with Labanc subbing in for Jordan Harris. The 29-year-old Labanc has not played since December 17th. He is averaging 10:38 time-on-ice and has 12 points (2G / 10A) in 27 games this season.

Kevin Labanc
Labanc is expected to be a healthy scratch vs. New Jersey on Thursday.

James Malatesta will make his season debut on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils, sending Labanc to the press box as a healthy scratch. Labanc has been productive from primarily a fourth-line role for the Blue Jackets, scoring 12 points (2G / 10A) in 27 games, but has only two points (1G / 1A) in his last 14 games.

Kevin Labanc
Labanc will draw back into Columbus' lineup on Tuesday in Seattle.

James van Riemsdyk will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Labanc to re-enter the lineup for the Blue Jackets. The 28-year-old has provided some offensive depth this season, scoring six points (1G / 5A) while averaging 11:27 time-on-ice in 10 games. Labanc had only nine points (2G / 7A) in 46 games with the San Jose Sharks last season.

Kevin Labanc
Labanc will draw back into Columbus' lineup on Tuesday vs. Toronto.

The Blue Jackets will return to the traditional 12-6 formation on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs as Labanc will draw back into the lineup and Jordan Harris will be a healthy scratch. Labanc was signed by the Blue Jackets prior to the start of the season and has added some offensive contributions, tallying two points (0G / 2A) in three games.

Kevin Labanc
Labanc will be a healthy scratch on Thursday vs. Buffalo.

Labanc was signed by the Blue Jackets prior to the start of the season and has added some offensive contributions, tallying two points (0G / 2A) in three games, but will serve as a healthy scratch on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. Justin Danforth will draw into the lineup as Labanc's replacement.

Kevin Labanc
Columbus has signed Kevin Labanc to a one-year, $775,000 contract.

Labanc was on a PTO with New Jersey but has earned himself a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. The 28-year-old winger played the previous eight seasons in San Jose but had a down year in 2023-24 with only two goals, nine points and a -27 plus/minus in 46 games played.

Kevin Labanc