Canucks GM Patrik Allvin has confirmed that contract talks have started with Kiefer Sherwood's camp, but insider David Pagnotta believes the gap is very wide. The Vancouver Canucks may be focused on a return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2025-26, but that hasn't stopped management from <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/vancouver-canucks/vancouver-canucks-reportedly-exploring-a-trade-for-two-time-stanley-cup-champion-steven-stamkos' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>looking toward future roster decisions.</a> With a bunch of their players approaching unrestricted free agency, the team must soon decide who to keep for the long term and who could become trade bait before March's deadline. Among them is forward Kiefer Sherwood, who has become one of Vancouver's most important two-way players. Following a career season in 2024-25, Sherwood has continued that torrid pace this season, with nine goals in his first 12 games, sitting first in the NHL. According to The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta, Vancouver opened preliminary extension talks with Sherwood's camp back in the offseason. However, <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/vancouver-canucks/canucks-forward-kiefer-sherwood-sets-new-contract-demands-after-agent-change' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>after the winger recently changed agents</a>, talks haven't moved forward at all. In a recent appearance on Sportsnet 650 (audio link), GM Patrik Allvin indicated that he has had preliminary discussions about a contract extension with Sherwood's camp. - Pro Hockey Rumors Kiefer Sherwood negotiations: There's a little bit of hesitancy; he keeps this up he's probably in the $4m maybe $5m range depending on term, I think the Canucks are, or were anyway...weary...allocating those types of cap dollars. - David Pagnotta <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/NHLRumourReport/status/1983700379649863844'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> <h3>The Canucks are in no rush to sign Kiefer Sherwood as they do not want to overcommit dollars</h3> Pagnotta added that the Canucks do not want to commit to a deal that could put them over their comfort zone in terms of what they want to spend. If Sherwood continues on this trajectory, he could be in line for $4-5 million annually, which is up from the $1.5 million he's currently making. For now, Sherwood remains a crucial part of Vancouver's roster, a high-energy winger who has earned the trust of both the coaching staff and his teammates. As this season wears on, GM Patrik Allvin will have to balance the salary cap with rewarding one of his most consistent contributors. Whether Sherwood's next contract is one that keeps him in Vancouver or ships him out elsewhere could ultimately be one of the most defining decisions of the Canucks' season.