When the Vancouver Canucks sent a league-wide message that they were open for business, one name shot to the top of the trade chatter: Kiefer Sherwood.
Sherwood, a pending unrestricted free agent, is playing some of the best hockey of his career-and doing it at exactly the right time. Coming off a 19-goal campaign last season, he’s on pace to set another personal best this year.
But what’s turning heads around the league isn’t just his scoring touch-it’s the way he’s combining that offensive production with his trademark physical, hard-nosed style. He’s always been the kind of player who finishes checks, agitates opponents, and brings energy every shift.
Now, he’s adding consistent goal scoring to the mix, and that’s a rare and valuable package.
Simply put: Sherwood is about to cash in. And with the 2026 free agent class looking a little thin, his timing couldn’t be better. He’s quickly becoming one of the most sought-after names on the market.
That puts the Canucks in a tricky but logical spot. Sitting 30th in the NHL standings and clearly focused on getting younger, Vancouver seems unlikely to re-sign a 30-year-old winger due for a significant raise. So, the smart move is to explore the trade market now-while Sherwood’s value is peaking and interest is high.
And there’s plenty of interest.
The Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers have already checked in on Sherwood, and on Tuesday, reports surfaced that the Columbus Blue Jackets have entered the conversation as well. According to Aaron Portzline, Columbus has discussed trade scenarios with Vancouver that could bring Sherwood back to his hometown. That connection adds an intriguing wrinkle-especially with Sean Kuraly, a fellow Columbus native and longtime friend of Sherwood’s, already in the Bruins’ locker room and reportedly a big fan of his game.
Sherwood leads the Canucks in goals this season with 12, and his profile as a power forward who can score and stir things up makes him a fit for multiple teams looking to add grit and punch to their top six. He’s not just a rental to plug a hole-he’s the kind of player who can tilt a playoff series with his physicality and timely scoring.
And the list of potential suitors doesn’t stop there. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports that the Minnesota Wild and Montreal Canadiens have also expressed interest.
Minnesota, in particular, has been actively searching for top-six help, and Sherwood fits that mold. Montreal, meanwhile, appears to have at least made an exploratory call.
What’s clear is that the Canucks aren’t in a rush. They’re taking their time, reading the market, and looking for the right return.
Ideally, they’d like to get a young player back in any deal-rather than just futures-which is easier said than done when dealing a pending UFA. But Sherwood’s unique value might make that kind of return possible.
This is a situation to watch closely. Sherwood’s blend of scoring, physicality, and playoff-ready edge makes him one of the most intriguing trade chips on the board. And for a Canucks team in transition, the opportunity to turn that into a building block for the future could be too good to pass up.