Kiefer Sherwood's future in Vancouver takes a turn, says NHL insider Nick Kypreos
Photo credit: Edit from The Hockey News
NHL insider Nick Kypreos has revealed that the Canucks likely don't want to pay Kiefer Sherwood big money and risk him falling off, so a trade is almost a certainty.
At this point in the NHL season, the standings feel like a major traffic jam. NHL insider Nick Kypreos says he can't remember another year where 31 of 32 teams were this tightly packed as we hover around the American Thanksgiving period.
It's usually the moment when teams start to truly understand who they are and what they're not.
Outside of Colorado, it's one giant cluster of teams fighting tooth and nail, with most of the league stuck neck-and-neck in the early playoff races in both conferences.
What the Canucks said regarding their veteran players recently
One player drawing attention from many of these playoff teams is Kiefer Sherwood in Vancouver. The Canucks recently hinted that veteran players would be available, and his name jumps out fast.
Sherwood is in the final year of his deal, and he's producing very well, and he is playing the kind of hard, heavy style that playoff teams love.
Sherwood already has 12 goals and four assists, and sits near the top of the league in hits, which is something he's become known for after he annihilated the modern hits record last season.
He's a late-bloomer who brings energy, pressure, and has a real edge to his game. For a contender looking to bulk up, Sherwood definitely checks every box.
Why the Canucks may not be comfortable signing Kiefer Sherwood
The problem lies with his contract. Sherwood is believed to be seeking roughly $30 million over six years, which would take him through to the ripe age of 36.
That's a steep ask for a player whose role still tops out as a third-line piece in Vancouver, and the Canucks do not feel comfortable tying that much money to him and risk him falling off, according to Kypreos.
"They can't take a chance to give that sort of a contract to Sherwood and have him fall off; in all probability, this will eventually lead to a trade."
- Nick Kypreos
- Nick Kypreos
It puts the Canucks in a difficult spot. Betting big on length and dollars carries obvious risk, and because of that, Kypreos says that this situation increasingly feels like it's heading toward a trade.
More clarity is coming, and likely sooner than later, but for now, fans and insiders alike will have to play the wait-and-see game.
Previously on HockeyLatest
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 29 | 141 ANSWERS Kiefer Sherwood's future in Vancouver takes a turn, says NHL insider Nick Kypreos Will the Canucks trade Kiefer Sherwood by the deadline? | ||
| Yes | 112 | 79.4 % |
| No | 29 | 20.6 % |
| List of polls | ||