The San Jose Sharks have welcomed 30-year-old winger Kiefer Sherwood into their fold, but questions remain about his long-term future with the team. The Canadian native was acquired from the Vancouver Canucks on Monday in a blockbuster trade that sent two second-round picks and defenseman Cole Clayton to the Pacific Division rivals.
Sherwood's arrival has generated excitement among Sharks fans, who see him as a multi-faceted addition to their lineup. With 17 goals this season, Sherwood led the Canucks in scoring before being traded away. His skills extend beyond goal-scoring, however, as he is also one of the league leaders in hits since the start of the 2023-24 season with over 900.
While Sherwood is eager to contribute to the Sharks and prove himself, his contract situation remains uncertain. As a pending unrestricted free agent, he will be looking for a new deal that reflects his value to the team. Sources close to the negotiations suggest that Sherwood's camp was reportedly far apart from the Canucks on an extension offer that was around three or four years in length with an average annual value of $4 million.
Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky believes that Sherwood brings a valuable skillset to the lineup, describing him as "nasty" and saying he knows where he wants to play the Canadian. Forward Ryan Reaves echoed this sentiment, stating that the team's general manager, Mike Grier, has shown confidence in their ability to remain in the playoff hunt.
Despite the excitement surrounding Sherwood's arrival, his debut with the Sharks may not be imminent. Coach Warsofsky has deemed him day-to-day following an undisclosed injury he sustained earlier this season and plans to hold him out of Friday's game against the New York Rangers. With a five-game road trip ahead, including a matchup against his former team in Vancouver, Sherwood will have ample opportunity to prove himself.
However, whether or not Sherwood will ultimately stay with the Sharks long-term remains uncertain. As he navigates this new chapter in his career, it is clear that his future contract will be a crucial factor in determining his role on the team.
Sherwood's arrival has generated excitement among Sharks fans, who see him as a multi-faceted addition to their lineup. With 17 goals this season, Sherwood led the Canucks in scoring before being traded away. His skills extend beyond goal-scoring, however, as he is also one of the league leaders in hits since the start of the 2023-24 season with over 900.
While Sherwood is eager to contribute to the Sharks and prove himself, his contract situation remains uncertain. As a pending unrestricted free agent, he will be looking for a new deal that reflects his value to the team. Sources close to the negotiations suggest that Sherwood's camp was reportedly far apart from the Canucks on an extension offer that was around three or four years in length with an average annual value of $4 million.
Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky believes that Sherwood brings a valuable skillset to the lineup, describing him as "nasty" and saying he knows where he wants to play the Canadian. Forward Ryan Reaves echoed this sentiment, stating that the team's general manager, Mike Grier, has shown confidence in their ability to remain in the playoff hunt.
Despite the excitement surrounding Sherwood's arrival, his debut with the Sharks may not be imminent. Coach Warsofsky has deemed him day-to-day following an undisclosed injury he sustained earlier this season and plans to hold him out of Friday's game against the New York Rangers. With a five-game road trip ahead, including a matchup against his former team in Vancouver, Sherwood will have ample opportunity to prove himself.
However, whether or not Sherwood will ultimately stay with the Sharks long-term remains uncertain. As he navigates this new chapter in his career, it is clear that his future contract will be a crucial factor in determining his role on the team.