The Montreal Canadiens are reportedly eyeing one of the more intriguing names on the NHL trade market - Vancouver Canucks forward Kiefer Sherwood.
According to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, Montreal is among the teams expressing interest in Sherwood, who’s quickly becoming a name to watch as trade chatter heats up. With the Canucks sliding toward the bottom of the standings and Sherwood on an expiring contract, the timing makes sense. He’s producing, he’s physical, and he fits the mold of the kind of player contenders - or teams trying to stay competitive through adversity - love to add at the deadline.
Let’s break it down: Sherwood’s on pace for another career year, with 12 goals and 16 points through 27 games. That’s solid production for a guy who brings more than just offense.
He’s not a flashy scorer, but he’s efficient, and he makes his presence felt every shift. Just ask the 110 players he’s already hit this season.
That’s not a typo - 110 hits in 27 games. And remember, this is the same guy who set an NHL record with 462 hits last year.
That kind of physicality isn’t just noise - it changes the tone of games and wears opponents down over the course of a season.
For the Canadiens, who’ve been battling injuries and looking for a spark in their forward group, Sherwood could be a timely addition. He’s the type of player who can slide into your middle six, chip in offensively, and contribute on both special teams.
Need a net-front presence on the power play? He can do that.
Need someone to grind out a tough penalty kill shift late in a one-goal game? He’s up for it.
More importantly, he brings a competitive edge - the kind of grit that doesn’t just show up in box scores but in the corners, in board battles, and in the way he forces opponents to keep their heads up. For a young Canadiens team still finding its identity, that kind of presence can be contagious.
Now, Sherwood is a pending UFA, so any team acquiring him would likely view him as a rental - at least for now. But if Montreal believes he’s a fit beyond this season, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them explore a longer-term look. In the short term, though, he’d fill a clear need: scoring depth, physicality, and versatility.
Vancouver, for its part, has every reason to listen to offers. With the team struggling and Sherwood’s value rising, it’s a smart time to explore a return. And with Montreal reportedly in the mix, this is a storyline worth keeping an eye on as the trade market starts to take shape.