Kiefer Sherwood’s Breakout Season Has Teams Calling - Will Vancouver Cash In?
Kiefer Sherwood’s journey to NHL relevance hasn’t been a straight line - it’s been a grind. But now, at 30 years old, the Canucks winger is finally seeing the payoff, and it’s coming at just the right time. According to recent reports, Sherwood is eyeing a six-year deal north of $5 million per season, and with teams like Boston and Minnesota reportedly circling, Vancouver has a decision to make.
Let’s break it down.
Sherwood’s path to this point has been anything but conventional. Undrafted out of Miami (OH), he cracked the Anaheim Ducks’ lineup in 2018-19, carving out a role on the fourth line. But after that initial stint, he spent five years bouncing between the AHL and NHL before finally sticking with Nashville, where he became a full-time contributor and helped push the Predators beyond expectations.
That performance earned him a two-year, $1.5 million AAV deal with Vancouver in 2024 - a low-risk move that’s turned into a massive value for the Canucks. Last season, Sherwood set career highs across the board - games played, goals, assists - and even broke the NHL’s single-season hits record. So far this season, he’s picked up right where he left off, with 12 goals in 26 games and the kind of tenacity that’s made him a fan favorite and a legitimate trade chip.
The timing couldn’t be better for Sherwood. With the 2025 free agent market already thinning out months before July 1, he’s positioned himself as one of the more intriguing names potentially available. And with his physical, north-south style and scoring touch, he’s the kind of player playoff-bound teams covet - especially when they can plug him into their middle six and know exactly what they’re getting.
That’s why Boston and Minnesota are reportedly in the mix. Both teams have their 2025 first-round picks, and if Sherwood keeps producing at this clip, it’s not a stretch to think he could command that kind of return.
A first-rounder for a player who’s essentially on a rental deal? That’s the kind of value Vancouver can’t ignore - especially if they’re unsure about committing long-term dollars to a 30-year-old late bloomer.
Now, Vancouver could make it work financially. With contracts like Evander Kane and Derek Forbort coming off the books, there’s theoretical cap space to extend Sherwood.
But the Canucks also have to think big picture. They’re a team that’s trying to build something sustainable, and turning a short-term success story into long-term assets might be the smarter play.
Sherwood’s rise is a testament to persistence and physical play meeting opportunity. He’s not just riding a hot streak - he’s earned every bit of this moment. Whether Vancouver locks him up or flips him for future pieces, his value has never been higher.
Elsewhere in the Pacific:
Veteran center Ryan Strome was a healthy scratch for Anaheim’s game against St. Louis, with young defenseman Ian Moore drawing back into the lineup. That left the Ducks rolling with 11 forwards and 7 defensemen - a tactical shuffle that speaks more to Anaheim’s youth movement than any major indictment of Strome’s play.
Strome missed the start of the season due to injury but has been steady since returning, posting three points in nine games and continuing to bring reliable two-way play. His underlying numbers are solid, and he’s been one of the league’s more consistent point producers in recent years - hitting exactly 41 points in each of the last three seasons. Still, with a $5 million cap hit running through 2027, that level of production isn’t quite matching the price tag.
That said, Strome’s not going anywhere - at least not yet. He’s a veteran voice on a team leaning heavily into its youth, and his presence still carries value beyond the scoresheet. Expect him back in the lineup soon as the Ducks continue to tinker with their mix.