The Vancouver Canucks are still trying to find their footing this season, sitting second-last in the Pacific Division. In an effort to shake things up, the team has reportedly made some of its veteran players available.
And one of the most notable names on that list is forward Kiefer Sherwood, who was even jokingly referred to as part of a “Black Friday sale” of available Canucks players.
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Sherwood is in the final year of his two-year, $3 million contract and has yet to sign an extension with Vancouver. What makes that even more interesting is how well he’s playing.
He’s been one of the team’s few bright spots, putting up 12 goals and 16 points in 24 games, leading the way offensively despite the Canucks’ slow start. But with that breakout comes a higher price tag.
On “Sens 101 with Bruce Garrioch,” Sportsnet insider Nick Kypreos revealed what Sherwood is looking for on his next deal and suggested the Ottawa Senators are among the teams keeping an eye on him.
Kypreos said: “He is looking for $5 million or north of that, on a six-year deal (around $30M). I’m not sure if that’s too rich for Ottawa… But when you talk about a rugged type of player like that, there will be a lot of teams looking at Vancouver for Kiefer.”
Kiefer’s asking price is more than triple what he’s making now, which puts the Canucks in a tough spot as they decide whether he’s worth re-signing. The Canucks are coming off a 5-4 win over the first-place Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday, and Sherwood was asked about the trade chatter afterward.
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“I try not to look at it. I think we just try to focus on playing and try to stay in the present.” Sherwood said to Sportsnet. “I love it here, and I love this group here, and I just want to continue to take it day by day.”
He said that contract talks usually sort themselves out, and his priority right now is helping the team win during this road trip. Sherwood also admitted that trade chatter comes with the territory in the NHL.
His stance was simple: “I’m just trying to focus on helping this team turn it around here and try to get back into the playoff picture.”
With Vancouver heading to San Jose to face the Sharks next, attention now shifts to how the team will navigate Sherwood’s future, whether his breakout year earns him a long-term deal or puts him on the trade market.