On an episode of Sens 1-on-1 last Thursday, Nick Kypreos discussed Canucks forward Kiefer Sherwood, noting that the late-bloomer is looking for $5 million or more per season, on a six year deal. Canucks reporter Rick Dhaliwal also speculated on Sherwood today on the Donnie & Dhali show, saying that Boston and Minnesota are two teams which are in on the pending free agent as a trade target.
With a free agent market which has largely evaporated even before January, Sherwood would be wise to play the long game for a major pay raise. Fully aware of this, and with a team sputtering of late, Vancouver may take advantage of Sherwood’s emergence as well, and get a substantial trade package for a player likely to hit the open market either way.
Sherwood, 30, was undrafted out of Miami (OH) but soon earned his way into a fourth line role with the Ducks in 2018-19. He then had to wait five years to become a full time NHLer again, doing so with Nashville, helping the team surpass expectations. Hitting the market, the winger inked a two year deal worth $1.5MM per season with the Canucks in 2024. He set career highs in games, goals, and assists last season, even breaking the single-season all-time hits record. With 12 goals in 26 games so far, Sherwood has maintained such levels, and the feisty winger may be set on hitting the market and cashing in after a long uphill battle to this point.
With Evander Kane and Derek Forbort’s contracts set to come off the books, in theory Vancouver could make an extension work, but considering their state as a franchise, they may opt to receive a substantial trade package for the 30-year-old. Both Minnesota and Boston own their first-round picks this season, and it’s not hard to imagine Sherwood fetching one, if he can maintain such performance.
Elsewhere in the division:
- Zach Cavanagh of The Sporting Tribune shared that veteran Ryan Strome would be a healthy scratch tonight against St. Louis, as young defenseman Ian Moore re-entered the lineup, leaving Anaheim in a 11-forward, 7-defensemen configuration. Strome was injured before the season, but has offered on-track production with three points in nine games since, and solid underlying numbers as a two-way center. The veteran has been remarkably consistent with 41 points exactly in his last three seasons, but such is a bit underwhelming for a $5MM cap hit set to expire in 2027. Strome’s role has simply diminished on a dynamic young team, but it is safe to assume he’s set in Anaheim for now and will return to the lineup soon.
That’s more than reasonable than the Canucks could hope for. I’d sign him unless a team is REALLY going to overpay. I’d ask for Johnson, Chinakhov and a 1st from Columbus.
For Sherwood? You couldn’t get one of those players alone for him, on top of a solid mid-round first… he’s peaking now so if you don’t convert him to picks & prospects, you should be fired
Nine goals in Sherwood’s first 12 games with a 37.5% shooting percentage did most of the heavy lifting. Scored just three in his next 14 with an 11.5%, virtually identical to his career rate (11.9%).
He may be more than the 15G-pace energy forward he was prior to this year, but the reported cost in a trade of a 1st round pick + young player is bonkers IMO.
the canucks rarely sell, even when they should, so their fans aren’t used to coming up with realistic trade deals
I love watching Kiefer Sherwood on the ice, He’s an invaluable 3rd liner for sure, But he’s a 3.5 annually guy, Nothing more.
How did you determine 3.5? Data or opinion?
Ugh, I’m tired of the Bruins dealing high draft picks for deadline pickups. 24 regular season games of Tomas Kaberle cost Boston Rickard Rakell. 11 games of Rick Nash cost them Ryan Lindgren and Jacob Bernard-Docker. 19 games of Lee F’n Stempniak cost them Mario Ferraro. On and on the ball rolls.
Could be worse. Toronto traded that pick and a 2nd to move up to get Tyler Biggs. The Ducks drafted Rakell at 30 and then used the 39th pick to get John Gibson. Biggs never played in the NHL. At least Kaberle helped them win a cup.
Rangers have been guilty of that for many years, so I feel your pain.
Sherwood would be a great pickup for the Wild.