One of the more intriguing trade chips on the market is officially off the board - and it wasn’t the Colorado Avalanche who made the move. The Vancouver Canucks have dealt winger Kiefer Sherwood to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for two second-round draft picks and AHL defenseman Cole Clayton.
It’s a trade that raised a few eyebrows around the league, and for good reason. Sherwood, a pending unrestricted free agent, had been generating plenty of buzz thanks to his strong season - 17 goals in 44 games - and a team-friendly cap hit that made him an attractive target for contenders looking to bolster their bottom-six scoring.
But instead of holding out for a bigger return - the rumored ask was a first-round pick and a mid-to-high-end prospect - Vancouver opted to move him for a pair of second-rounders (2026 and 2027) and a 25-year-old blueliner who has yet to crack an NHL lineup. That’s not exactly a king’s ransom for one of the more productive depth scorers available.
Naturally, that led to some speculation: could the Avalanche have made this deal? On paper, absolutely.
Colorado owns two second-round picks in 2027, meaning they had the draft capital to match San Jose’s offer. And if the Canucks were willing to take back a non-NHL defenseman like Clayton, someone like Ilya Solovyov - who’s had a bit more pro experience - might’ve been enough to sweeten the pot.
But here’s the thing: just because the Avalanche could have made the deal doesn’t mean they should have.
Sherwood Would’ve Been a Luxury, Not a Necessity
Let’s be clear - Sherwood is a solid player. He brings energy, he can finish, and he’s proven he can chip in offensively in a middle-six role.
On a team like Colorado, though, he’s not cracking the top six. At best, he slots in on the third line, maybe alongside Ross Colton and Valeri Nichushkin.
That trio could’ve been a handful, no doubt - a blend of speed, grit, and scoring touch.
But when the Avalanche are fully healthy, there’s not a glaring need for Sherwood. He’d be more of an insurance policy - a depth piece who could step in if injuries hit, which, let’s be honest, they often do in the postseason. Still, giving up two second-rounders for that kind of player is a steep price, especially when Colorado has other areas they may want to reinforce before the deadline.
This is a team with championship aspirations. Every asset counts.
And while Sherwood could’ve helped, he’s not the kind of needle-mover that warrants sacrificing future picks unless the fit is perfect. The Avs have done well in recent years finding value in depth players without overpaying - and this feels like another example of smart restraint.
Eyes on the Summer?
Now, don’t close the book on Sherwood and the Avalanche just yet. He’ll hit the open market this summer, and that’s where things could get interesting.
Signing him as a free agent - without giving up draft capital - would be a much more palatable move for a team like Colorado. If the fit still makes sense and the price is right, that’s a scenario where the Avs could circle back.
For now, though, Colorado’s decision to pass on Sherwood looks like a calculated one. They’ve got bigger needs, and likely better targets, as the trade deadline approaches. The front office is playing the long game - and that’s exactly what contenders need to do.