Kiefer Sherwood Nearing Return as Sharks Search for a Spark Ahead of Olympic Break
CHICAGO - The San Jose Sharks are in the middle of a tough stretch, dropping three straight and watching their grip on a playoff spot loosen. But there’s a glimmer of good news on the horizon - and it comes in the form of forward Kiefer Sherwood.
Sherwood, acquired from Vancouver just over two weeks ago, was a full participant in Tuesday’s practice in Chicago. And not just skating laps - Sherwood slotted right into the top line alongside rookies Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith, signaling that his return from an upper-body injury may be just around the corner.
For a Sharks team that’s been searching for offensive consistency, Sherwood’s presence could be a timely boost. During drills, he also worked with the second power play unit, teaming up with Michael Misa, Philipp Kurashev, and defensemen Dmitry Orlov and John Klingberg. The top unit leaned fully into a five-forward look, with Celebrini, Smith, Tyler Toffoli, William Eklund, and Alex Wennberg rotating through.
One moment stood out: Sherwood, posted up on the left flank, took a crisp feed from Klingberg and hammered a one-timer past goalie Yaroslav Askarov. Klingberg let out an audible cheer - a small but telling sign of the energy Sherwood brings.
The 30-year-old winger has been with the team since their road trip began last week, and he even took part in Monday’s morning skate at United Center. Head coach Ryan Warsofsky said afterward that Sherwood was still being evaluated, but Tuesday’s full-contact session is a strong indicator that he’s close to game-ready.
San Jose wraps up its pre-Olympic schedule Wednesday night in Denver against the Colorado Avalanche. Whether Sherwood is activated in time for that matchup remains to be seen. He’s still officially on injured reserve, and with the Sharks already at the 23-man roster limit, someone will have to come off the roster to make room.
Sherwood hasn’t played since January 10, and the Sharks have missed his grit and versatility. He was brought in on January 19 in a deal that sent two second-round picks and AHL defenseman Cole Clayton to Vancouver. That same night, San Jose beat the defending champion Florida Panthers and went on to notch a 5-2 win over the Canucks on January 27, climbing to a season-best six games over .500.
But since then, the wheels have started to wobble. The Sharks dropped a 4-3 heartbreaker to Edmonton last Thursday, followed by a 3-2 loss to Calgary on Saturday. Then came Monday’s 6-3 defeat to the Blackhawks - a game that exposed some defensive lapses and left the team three points out of a playoff spot as of Tuesday morning.
Tuesday’s practice also featured a few notable line tweaks. Misa and Wennberg swapped roles, with Misa centering the second line alongside Toffoli and Eklund, while Wennberg shifted to the third line between Kurashev and Collin Graf.
The fourth line remained intact with Barclay Goodrow, Zack Ostapchuk, and Adam Gaudette, while defense pairings included Orlov-Klingberg, Mario Ferraro-Timothy Liljegren, and Nikita Okhotiuk-Vincent Desharnais. Jacob Dickinson skated as an extra, and Ryan Reaves was not on the ice.
The Sharks are hoping Sherwood’s return - whether it comes Wednesday or after the Olympic break - can help stabilize a lineup that’s shown flashes but struggled to string together consistent play. With Celebrini and Smith continuing to grow into their NHL roles, adding a veteran presence like Sherwood to that top line could be just what the Sharks need to get back on track.
One thing’s clear: if Sherwood’s one-timer in practice is any indication, he’s ready to make an impact. And for a Sharks team teetering on the playoff bubble, reinforcements can’t come soon enough.