Six days after being dealt from the Vancouver Canucks to the San Jose Sharks, Kiefer Sherwood still hasn’t suited up in teal. The gritty forward is nursing an upper-body injury, and while he hasn’t skated a shift for his new team yet, there’s already buzz about whether his stay in San Jose could be a short one.
The trade that brought Sherwood to the Bay Area - in exchange for defenseman Cole Clayton and a pair of second-round picks (2026 and 2027) - didn’t come with a contract extension. That’s left the door open for Sharks GM Mike Grier to potentially flip Sherwood again before the deadline, especially if there’s a risk he could walk for nothing this summer.
At 30 years old, Sherwood is in the final year of the two-year, $3 million deal he signed with Vancouver back in 2024. He’s set to hit unrestricted free agency this offseason, but his production this year - 17 goals and 23 points through 44 games - suggests he’s got more to offer than just a physical presence. That blend of scoring touch and edge makes him a valuable asset, particularly for a Sharks team trying to build an identity around its young core.
Still, Grier didn’t part with two second-rounders just to watch Sherwood leave in a few months. According to team insider Curtis Pashelka, the front office is optimistic about getting an extension done. The Sharks have flexibility - nearly $55 million in projected cap space this summer - and while they’ll need to budget for major deals down the road, including for top prospects Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith, there’s room to make Sherwood a part of the long-term plan.
And that might be the smart move. Sherwood brings the kind of hard-nosed, north-south game that can complement a young, skilled roster. He’s the type of player who can win puck battles, kill penalties, and chip in offensively - the sort of veteran presence that helps stabilize a locker room during a rebuild.
Of course, this all hinges on mutual interest. If Sherwood wants to test the market or if his asking price climbs beyond what San Jose is willing to pay, then yes, a deadline flip becomes a real possibility.
But right now, there’s no reason to think an extension is off the table. The Sharks have the cap room, the roster need, and a player who fits the mold of what they’re trying to build.
In a season that’s more about progress than playoff pushes, keeping a guy like Sherwood around could go a long way toward setting the tone for what comes next in San Jose.