Kiefer Sherwood has appeared in just one game for the San Jose Sharks since his acquisition from the Vancouver Canucks about a month ago, but he may not remain with the team much longer. The Sharks traded two second-round draft picks to secure Sherwood, a power forward who has accumulated 23 points over 46 games this season, yet contract extension talks have reached an impasse.
According to NHL insider Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, the discussions between Sherwood and the Sharks have experienced significant misalignment in expectations concerning a new deal for the pending unrestricted free agent.
Miscommunication Casts Doubt on Sherwood’s Future With Sharks
LeBrun highlighted the unexpected tension between Sherwood and the Sharks regarding contract negotiations. When San Jose acquired Sherwood on January 19, it was widely expected that both sides would quickly agree on an extension to keep him beyond this season.
“When the San Jose Sharks acquired Kiefer Sherwood on Jan. 19, it was largely assumed a contract extension would get done before too long. Otherwise, why would an on-the-rise bubble team trade for a pending UFA?”
Pierre LeBrun, NHL analyst
However, the initial talks did not meet mutual expectations, with both sides apparently misunderstanding each other’s intentions and terms.
“Whatever the case, I get the sense that the first contract-extension conversation was a real wires-crossed moment as far as expectations from both sides.”
Pierre LeBrun, NHL analyst
With the March 6 trade deadline looming, if San Jose and Sherwood cannot reach an agreement soon, the team may prefer to trade him rather than risk losing him for nothing in free agency on July 1.
Sharks Prepared to Trade Sherwood to Avoid Losing Him for Free
The situation places the Sharks in a difficult position as they sit precariously on the playoff bubble with a 27-25-4 record. San Jose currently ranks sixth in the Pacific Division and trails the final Western Conference wildcard spot by five points. This playoff uncertainty adds urgency to their decision-making regarding Sherwood.
Despite the disappointment of potentially trading away valuable picks for a player under two months, General Manager Mike Grier is reportedly open to moving Sherwood if signing him proves impossible.
“A league source told me this week that the Sharks are open to the possibility of flipping Sherwood if they can’t get him signed,”
LeBrun reported.
“Given his low cap hit ($1.5 million), there should be a robust market for him as a rental player.”
San Jose traded two second-round selections to land Sherwood from Vancouver, so the preferred outcome remains extending his contract and keeping him on the roster.
“Keep in mind, San Jose gave the Vancouver Canucks two second-round picks for Sherwood on Jan. 19. So I do think an extension and Sherwood staying put in San Jose is the best-case scenario for everyone involved. And I think Sherwood wants to stay.”
Pierre LeBrun, NHL analyst
Final Week Before Trade Deadline Will Shape Sherwood’s Status
The clock is ticking with only a week left until the trade deadline, during which the Sharks have three home games remaining against the Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets, and Montreal Canadiens. The team’s performance in these games will likely influence management’s plans regarding Sherwood.
“I think it’s more likely than not he’s moved if the Sharks can’t extend him over the next week,”
LeBrun concluded.
Sherwood logged just over 19 minutes of ice time during San Jose’s recent 4-1 loss to the Calgary Flames and is expected to receive significant playing time in the final three games before the deadline. His future with the Sharks remains uncertain as the organization weighs the risk of losing him without compensation against the possible benefits of trading him for assets.
