Tuesday: Rick Dhaliwal of CHEK and The Athletic reported today that the offer is believed to be a medium-term agreement (four or five years) with an AAV of over $4MM per season. For context, PuckPedia reports that his estimated career earnings is $4.77MM so whenever he signs, be it with Vancouver or elsewhere, it will be quite the increase in pay for him.
Saturday: The Vancouver Canucks made a new contract extension offer to pending UFA forward Kiefer Sherwood, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported last night. Friedman added that he still believes there is a “sizable gap” in terms of what Sherwood is looking for on his next deal versus what the Canucks are willing to offer, making a trade still the most likely outcome.
It has been frequently reported over the last few months that the Canucks are looking to trade away their pending UFAs, part of an organizational pivot made in the aftermath of the Quinn Hughes trade. Out of all of the Canucks’ pending UFAs, Sherwood is generally viewed as the most valuable trade asset, making it notable that the club has made a new pitch to try to retain his services beyond this season.
Sportsnet’s Iain McIntyre wrote this morning that Sherwood has a “strong case to make $4- or $5-million or more annually on his next contract,” and it would be something of a surprise to see the Canucks invest so heavily in Sherwood, who turns 31 on March 31.
If the Canucks are serious about pivoting their competitive strategy to favor something akin to a rebuild, trading away Sherwood for what is likely to be a solid return of either draft picks or young prospects appears to be the only real path forward.
But Friedman’s report indicates that the club is at least making a real push to try to keep Sherwood, and for what it’s worth, Sherwood did communicate a desire to remain in Vancouver. He told McIntyre “I love it here,” and that he wants “to do nothing more than bring energy and happiness to this fan base in this market.”
It’s not difficult to see why the Canucks might want to retain Sherwood, of course. He’s a well-respected veteran whose work ethic has endeared him to coaches and fans alike in Vancouver. He racks up hits like few other wingers across the NHL and has a knack for goal scoring as well, potting 17 in just 41 games this season.
He’s a player that offers a lot to like, and as the Canucks integrate more and more younger players into their NHL lineup, it’s not unreasonable that they’d want a few veterans to serve as the steady backbone of their lineup.
Sherwood could serve in that role, undoubtedly. But seeing as Friedman reported that there is still a notable gap between what the Canucks are looking to pay Sherwood on his next deal, and what Sherwood is looking to earn, a trade still appears to be, by far, the most likely path the Canucks take here.
Photos courtesy of Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
The team will not be competitive for a few years at least, and most of its veterans are already locked down in cumbersome contracts with NTC protection. It would be insanity to not flip a popular Sherwood for assets more in tune with a rebuilding- hybrid or any kind – club. This outreach likely was more to gauge the seriousness of their trade partners, or at the behest of an idiot owner. He’ll be traded in a few days I’m guessing.
Trade good players for prospects/picks. If those assets hit, refuse to pay them, and then trade them for more prospects/picks.
Do you see an issue here?
Given their rebuild hasn’t started, 8-10 years would be a better guess for how long it will take them to return to being a true competitor.
Did you miss the JT Miller and Hughes trades?
Did you miss that those were player for player?
J.T. Miller was traded for Filip Chytil, Victor Mancini, and a 1st round pick in 2025.
Hughes was traded for Marco Rossi, Liam Ohgren, Zeev Buium and a 1st round pick in the 2026.
So you either did miss them or can’t comprehend properly.
The best piece of the Miller trade – a case of holding on to a player until his value flops – was the Rangers first rd pick; Dino the dinosaur Rutherford immediately flipped it for a 30-yr old soon to be UFA Marcus Mediocorus who resigned with the penguins west retirement home… Sorry but if u don’t manage the expiring or elder assets and build thru the draft you are a donkey. See championship runs of Chicago, Tampa Bay & Florida (& soon Anaheim & San Jose)…
Yes 🙌
So you are saying they were player for player trades? Yes. Thanks.
Rebuilding teams don’t pick up 23 year old players, they get picks and chase the number 1 pick. Retooling teams try to get younger and forever bog down in mediocrity. Much like VAN has since they burned down the city 15 years ago.
They also got Chytil and Rossi, established players as core parts of the deal. When they flip those players for more picks you’ll know a rebuild has happened. I’m a sharks and devils fan for God’s sake, I think I know a rebuild when I see it, it’s been 10 years of pain.
Keep arguing with and replying to yourself. It’s hilarious.
Whatever makes you happy dude. Your team is a dumpster fire, I’m glad I could give you a moment of joy.
They got 2 firsts and a prospect defenceman.
You’re as disingenuous as Wilf is.
How many times have we seen this? A pedestrian player blowing it up in a contract year, Sherwood is 30, 8 years in the league, And, Only 306 games, So, to date, He still has more minor league games, Than NHL contests. This screams BUYER BEWARE! But, You know some idiot GM will pay up.
The main attraction is he’s led the league – actually set the new standard – for hits in a season now two years running. His sudden offensive snap is a bonus, but for a serious playoff team he’d be a nice shot of vinegar on a third line. First round picks have gone for less…
Here comes Drury big for new york