The Canucks are currently in free fall having lost six of their last seven games, putting them dead last in the Western Conference.
There are very few positive things to point to in Canuck land right now, but one player who has stepped up in a big way this season could be the first one out the door as the Canucks continue to play themselves into a sell-off. Winger Kiefer Sherwood is playing on an expiring contract at a cap hit of just $1.5 million this season, as is said to be generating a lot of trade interest.
NHL insider Pierre LeBrun says “to no surprise” there is “a lot of interest,” as Sherwood has a style of play that “screams playoffs” along with his “consistent production” this year. LeBrun goes on to say that the Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, and Dallas Stars are among a long list of teams that have “kicked tires” at the very least on Sherwood.
The question now, LeBrun says is “how many teams will continue to check in again and again and actually make something happen.” As for the Canucks, LeBrun says that they are “not rushing into this,” and “want to get a full picture of what the market looks like.”
Unsurprising to say the least, as LeBrun hits the nail on the head perfectly, in that Sherwood’s play style is perfect as a piece on a contending team come playoff time, and at a minuscule $1.5 million dollar cap hit, there will surely be many teams lining up to acquire a player of Sherwood’s skillset.
Sherwood is averaging by far a career high in minutes this season at 17:40, up from his previous career high last season of 14:53, and is on pace for a career high in goals, points and shots on goal, while playing in all situations.
The price on Sherwood will likely revolve around a second-round pick, but one wonders if the Canucks will somehow be able to extract up to a first-round pick for the forward, given that the acquiring team will likely be selecting outside of the top 20, Sherwood’s own performance this season, his style of play, and small cap hit.