Kiefer Sherwood Heads to Sharks, Not Rangers, as New York Eyes Future
Kiefer Sherwood won’t be calling Madison Square Garden home anytime soon. The 30-year-old power forward is headed to San Jose after the Vancouver Canucks traded him to the Sharks in exchange for two second-round picks-one in 2026, another in 2027-and minor league defenseman Cole Clayton.
That move puts a definitive end to the whispers linking Sherwood to the New York Rangers ahead of the March 6 NHL Trade Deadline. According to multiple reports, the Rangers and Canucks had engaged in talks, but those cooled as New York shifted its focus from patching up the current roster to building for the future.
TSN’s Chris Johnston reported that the Rangers had dangled “a young player with pedigree and a second-round pick” in hopes of landing Sherwood. While it’s unclear who that young player was, Brennan Othmann’s name had been circulating in trade rumors. The 2021 first-rounder has spent more time in the AHL with Hartford this season than with the big club, and his future in New York has felt uncertain at times.
But Othmann may have just reminded everyone why the Rangers were high on him in the first place. He netted his first NHL goal-finally-in a 6-3 win over the Flyers on Saturday, doing it in his 34th career game and ninth of the season. A milestone moment for a player who’s still trying to find his footing at the next level.
It’s not hard to see why the Rangers might hope Othmann follows a Sherwood-like trajectory. Sherwood wasn’t even drafted, and yet he’s carved out a reputation as one of the league’s most punishing forwards.
This season, he’s already tallied 18 goals and 23 points, while ranking second in the NHL with 210 hits. Last year, he set career highs across the board: 19 goals, 21 assists, 40 points, and 78 games played.
Oh, and he led the league with 462 hits-an NHL record.
That blend of scoring touch and physicality is exactly what teams crave come playoff time. And while Sherwood’s rugged style would’ve fit nicely on Broadway, the Rangers appear to be steering in a different direction.
Both the Rangers and Canucks are navigating through back-to-back disappointing seasons, and both are expected to be active sellers ahead of the deadline. Vancouver has already moved on from former captain and Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes, who’s now with the Wild, and could be looking to deal Elias Pettersson next.
The Rangers, meanwhile, are in the early stages of a retool. A year ago, they went big by acquiring J.T.
Miller from Vancouver. This time around, they’re pulling back.
That includes letting Artemi Panarin know they won’t be extending him, with plans to move the star winger before he hits unrestricted free agency. And Panarin might not be the only one on the move. There’s plenty of chatter about other potential trades as the Rangers reshape their core.
As for Sherwood, he’ll hit free agency this summer and is likely to command a significant raise from his current $1.5 million cap hit. That could price him out of New York’s plans, especially if the Rangers are prioritizing youth and flexibility. Still, his game-tough, relentless, and north-south-fits the mold of what New York wants more of.
Maybe that’s where Brennan Othmann comes in. While he’s more skilled than Sherwood, he’s also shown a willingness to play with an edge. If he can combine that physicality with consistent offensive production, the Rangers might just have their own version of Sherwood already in-house-one who could grow into something even more impactful.
For now, Sherwood’s journey takes him to San Jose. And for the Rangers, the focus stays on the long game.