Labanc (shoulder) is hoping to be cleared to play against Dallas on Saturday, Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Labanc has been sidelined since mid-December, a stretch of 37 games on the shelf, and will be out of action for at least two more outings. If the 26-year-old winger is cleared to play, he could be in the mix for a top-six role, though the Sharks could ease him back into action with limited minutes to start out. Prior to his extended absence, Labanc had generated six points in 21 contests, four of which came with the man advantage.