It is a situation that is becoming impossible to ignore in Vancouver. Kiefer Sherwood is currently playing the best hockey of his life, yet the silence from the front office regarding his future is deafening.
According to NHL insider Darren Dreger, there have been zero contract discussions between the Vancouver Canucks and Kiefer Sherwood to date. For a player on a team-friendly $1.5 million cap hit who has already potted 12 goals in just 22 games, this lack of engagement signals a potential storm brewing. If the Canucks stumble in the standings, the “Sherwood for assets” conversation isn’t just possible—it’s inevitable. Here is why the Canucks might be looking to sell high rather than buy in.
Why Sherwood’s Career Year Complicates the Trade Deadline
As an analyst, I look at Sherwood’s stat line and see a classic “contract year” anomaly, but one that Vancouver must manage perfectly. Last season, Sherwood hit a career-high 40 points. This season, he is on pace to shatter that record before the Olympic break.
However, the Canucks are in a precarious position. Their depth on the wings is arguably their strongest asset, which makes Sherwood—despite his production—expendable in the grand scheme of roster construction. Dreger’s report suggests that if Vancouver finds itself on the outside of the playoff picture looking in by March, Sherwood becomes the ultimate trade chip.
From a management perspective, this makes sense. Playoff contenders pay a premium for grit and scoring depth at the deadline. A player like Sherwood, who hits hard, forechecks relentlessly, and is currently scoring at a 40-goal pace, could fetch a second-round pick or a high-level prospect.
The danger, of course, lies in the chemistry. Sherwood has brought an energy to the lineup that is difficult to quantify. Trading him signals a surrender on the season, but keeping him without a contract risks losing a valuable asset for nothing in free agency. If the Canucks remain a “team in transition” as the season progresses, expect the trade chatter to amplify. The lack of talks right now tells me management is keeping their options wide open—and a trade is very much on the table.
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The post Report: Vancouver Canucks Haven’t Started Contract Talks with Kiefer Sherwood appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
