Simek Karlsson has never worked. I'd do Hatakka until Kny is back.

Labanc seems to be in the doghouse right now, don’t think he would play with Hertl and Eklund.

He's not, he's just a known value.
Labanc will be on the 2nd line and he'll (finally!!) be in the left-wing bumper position on the PP1.

It's temporary. Vlasic will shepherd the new kid.

Idk, Sheng Peng pointed out that he was practicing on the 5th line. Ik it just a preseason practice, but it’s stuff to consider. Players like Barabanov and Balcers have showed much more gusto and energy then Labanc. They’d probably play with Eklund and Hertl before Labanc. Though that’s just my opinion on what management/coaching might do.

Labanc will start on the 3rd line. He has been invisible all camp.

He was there because they know who he is, but they still don't really know Barabanov and they definitely don't know Pederson.
Sheng is just generating intrigue; he's a writer, it's ok.

Labanc is getting paid almost $5M, he's not getting put on the 3C. He's a surprisingly good playmaker and he's great on the Power Play. He was misused last year, and he still managed to generate enviable xGF. Being on a line with Hertl and Eklund will be very fruitful for him and us.