SAN JOSE – Do-it-all winger Kiefer Sherwood began the process of acclimating to his new home this week and is hoping to make his debut with the San Jose Sharks as soon as Tuesday when they play his former team, the Vancouver Canucks.
But while Sherwood’s first game with the Sharks will happen soon, whether it’s early next week or shortly afterward, his long-term future in San Jose is more uncertain.
Sherwood, a pending unrestricted free agent, was acquired by the Sharks on Monday in a splashy trade that saw two second round picks, one this year and one in 2027, plus defenseman Cole Clayton, sent to the Canucks.
Sherwood skated in San Jose on Thursday, a day after he took some time to drive around the city and better familiarize himself with the area. Still, he arrived in the South Bay without a contract extension, leading to questions about how long he’ll stay.
“I’m just trying to stay in the present,” said Sherwood, who led the Canucks with 17 goals this season before the trade. “Obviously, everything happens, and you kind of get settled in after the whirlwind, and we’ll see. I know I’m hearing really great things, and I’m really excited to just join the group and try to stay in the present.
“I want to get out there as soon as I can and help the team before the break. (That’s) kind of my focus right now, and I want to add as much as I can to the group, just give us the best chance.”
Sherwood hasn’t played since he sustained an undisclosed injury in Vancouver’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Jan. 10.
Coach Ryan Warsofsky said Sherwood is considered day to day will not play Friday when the Sharks host the New York Rangers. The Sharks then play the Canucks on Tuesday to begin a five-game road trip that leads into the start of the Olympic break in early February.
Sherwood will travel with the Sharks on the trip. Asked about the possibility about playing in Vancouver next week, Sherwood said, “Maybe, we’ll see. I don’t know. I’m going to try.
“I’m just trying to take it day by day and get up to speed as fast I can. And we’ll see when that time is.”
Sharks general manager Mike Grier and Sherwood’s camp have had initial discussions about what the Ohio native’s next contract would look like, and the two sides were reportedly far apart in negotiations.
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With this potentially being his last opportunity to cash in on a multi-year deal, the 30-year-old Sherwood, per Chris Johnston of TSN and The Athletic, could be asking for as much as $30 million in his next contract.
Sherwood’s agent is Judd Moldaver, who also represents Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid and Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews. Sherwood’s camp reportedly turned down a recent Canucks offer on an extension that around three or four years in length with an average annual value of $4 million.
“I’m leaving that to Juddy,” Sherwood said of the contract talks. “I’m just trying to see in the present and get settled in as quick as I can. I want to play as soon as I can and I’m looking, obviously, at that game against Vancouver – I’m going to try and make that happen. So that’s kind of where my head’s at. Just want to get immersed in the area and just continue to get to know the guys as best I can.
“I’m really thankful that this organization has brought me in and trusted me and obviously give up what they gave up. So I’m going to do everything I can just to add as much I can to the team. Just grateful to be here and that (the Sharks) pulled the trigger.”
Sherwood is a multi-faceted addition to the Sharks. Not only does he have 36 goals in his last 122 games, but also, since the start of the 2023-24 season, leads the NHL with 906 hits, can play up and down the lineup and help with both the power play and penalty kill.
Warsofsky said he already knows where he wants to play Sherwood, although he wasn’t making any declarations on Thursday.
“I think I heard (Columbus Blue Jackets coach) Rick Bowness say you need nasty,” Warsofsky said. “You look around the league, the team that wins the Stanley Cup will play with nasty, and they play with jam. The more types of players of those that you have, the rest of the guys get dragged into the fight.
“I think he brings that nasty.”
Sharks goalie Yaroslav Askarov was teammates with Sherwood in the Nashville organization, mostly with the Predators’ AHL affiliate in Milwaukee in 2022-23. He described Sherwood as “a rat.”
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The addition of Sherwood by Grier also sent a message to the Sharks players that he believes in their ability to remain in the playoff hunt.
The Sharks, based on tiebreakers, entered Thursday just outside of the playoff picture with 53 points, same as the Seattle Kraken and Los Angeles Kings, and two points back of the Anaheim Ducks for third place in the Pacific Division.
“I think it shows that (Grier) believes in this group and that we’re not looking to be sellers at the deadline. We’re looking to make a push,” Sharks winger Ryan Reaves said. “I think this group’s done a good job of earning that. Everybody in this room is happy that (Grier) saw the work we put in and went out looking to make us better.”
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