The San Jose Sharks may finally be on the verge of getting a look at their newest addition. Winger Kiefer Sherwood, acquired from the Vancouver Canucks over a week ago, is trending toward making his debut with the club, possibly as soon as tomorrow. After skating in practice and reportedly looking sharp, Sherwood appears close to being game-ready.
It’s been a bit of a wait for Sharks fans since the trade, as Sherwood has been sidelined with an undisclosed injury. His last game action came back on January 10th, and while he hasn’t suited up since, his production before the setback speaks for itself - 17 goals and 23 points in 44 games this season. That kind of output, especially from a physical winger who plays with an edge, is exactly what San Jose needs as they look to build out a more competitive forward group.
Still, the Sharks are playing it smart. While Sherwood brings a known skill set - heavy on grit, capable of chipping in offensively - the team wants to see how he fits in the lineup before making any long-term decisions. Contract talks haven’t picked up yet, and it’s clear that San Jose wants to evaluate how he meshes with their system and locker room before considering an extension.
Around the League
In Florida, the Panthers are keeping a close eye on Brad Marchand after he left a recent game against the St. Louis Blues with an apparent injury.
He logged just over 11 minutes of ice time and finished with a -1 rating, but the real concern stems from his recent injury history - Marchand already missed several weeks earlier this month due to an undisclosed issue. The team hasn’t ruled him out just yet, but there’s growing concern that he could miss some time again.
Meanwhile, the Columbus Blue Jackets aren’t expecting defenseman Dante Fabbro back before the Olympic break. Fabbro, who’s been out since January 17th with a lower-body injury, reportedly suffered a setback and is now targeting a return to skating sometime early next week.
The veteran blueliner has played in 48 games this season, tallying four goals and seven points while averaging just over 16 minutes of ice time per night. His absence continues to test Columbus’ defensive depth, especially with the season grind intensifying.
As teams inch closer to the stretch run, health and chemistry are going to be critical. For the Sharks, getting Sherwood into the mix could be a step toward both.