The San Jose Sharks are considering a quick turnaround on a recent acquisition, as they are now open to trading winger Kiefer Sherwood just weeks after bringing him over from the Vancouver Canucks, according to reports from The Athletic and multiple other news outlets.
The Sharks acquired Sherwood on January 19th in exchange for two second-round draft picks and AHL defenseman Cole Clayton. However, the team has been unable to agree to a contract extension with the pending unrestricted free agent, leading General Manager Mike Grier to explore trade options rather than risk losing Sherwood without compensation, sources say.
Sherwood, 30, was sidelined with an upper-body injury when initially acquired by San Jose, keeping him out of action for nearly a month. He has played in four games for the Sharks since returning, including time on the team’s top line alongside rising stars Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith. Despite the favorable deployment and power play opportunities, Sherwood has yet to register a point as a Shark.
The difficulty in securing an extension appears to be the primary driver behind the potential move. Reports indicate Sherwood is seeking a contract with an average annual value (AAV) of at least $5 million, with projections reaching $5.7 million on a five-year term. This figure may be higher than the Sharks are willing to commit to, particularly given the assets they surrendered to acquire him.
Sherwood’s journey to this point has been notable. Previously considered primarily an AHL player, he excelled in the American Hockey League, scoring 36 goals and 75 points in 57 games in 2021-22. He transitioned into a more physical, bottom-six role in the NHL with the Nashville Predators, before a breakout season with the Vancouver Canucks where he recorded 19 goals and 40 points in 2024-25, and 17 goals and 23 points before the trade.
The situation echoes a similar scenario involving Mikko Rantanen and the Carolina Hurricanes last year, where a team flipped a player they couldn’t re-sign for significant assets. While the circumstances differ, the precedent suggests the Sharks could potentially recoup some of their investment, though likely not the full value of the two second-round picks, and Clayton.
The NHL trade deadline is Friday, and the Sharks currently sit five points out of a playoff spot. Whether they ultimately decide to trade Sherwood, or retain him as a rental player, will depend on the offers they receive and their assessment of his potential impact on a playoff push. The team has back-to-back games this weekend, two of their three remaining contests before the deadline, which could influence their final decision.