The Vancouver Canucks have been chasing answers more than results this season, and the front office is now sitting in the middle of a market watching them closely. The first move has not arrived yet, but the feeling around the league is that it could come sooner rather than later.

Among the names attached to trade chatter, one forward has climbed higher than the rest, and he is beginning to draw attention from contenders who could use a boost before the season deepens.

Contenders Circling as Kiefer Sherwood Becomes a Likely Trade Piece

Vancouver’s 10-14-3 record paints the picture of a team still looking for direction. They score just enough to stay in some games but give up far too much to win consistently. Allowing 3.63 goals per game has been their undoing, leaving them seventh in the Pacific Division, with pressure mounting quickly. Small bursts of promise have emerged through wins against teams like Anaheim, Nashville, and Edmonton, but momentum never lasted long enough to alleviate the tension.

While Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes continue to anchor the roster, the biggest storyline might not be the core at all. Kiefer Sherwood has been one of the few consistent finishers on a team that cannot find rhythm. With 12 goals and 4 assists through 27 games, the 30-year-old winger leads Vancouver in finishing while playing nearly 17 minutes a night. He remains a dependable middle-six producer, though his quiet stretch could signal a dip at the wrong time for Vancouver.

His contract makes him even more interesting in trade discussions. Sherwood is on a two-year $3 million deal with a $1.5 million cap hit, expiring at season’s end when he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Sportsnet insider Adam Vingan wrote in his recent column that a sell-off could begin soon, and Sherwood is expected to be part of it.

“When Canucks management starts the sell-off, forward Kiefer Sherwood is expected to be part of it,” Adam wrote.

And to no one’s surprise, there are some teams interested in Sherwood, who can add offensive depth. If a battle forms, Tampa Bay is one of the most likely to lead the charge. The Lightning have won two consecutive Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021, but have lost in the first round in the previous three seasons. They are looking good this year with a 16-8-2 record, and Sherwood can help them during the playoffs, where they are falling short.

However, Lightning will face competition from Boston, which is seen as another landing spot for Sherwood. Last season, they struggled with offensive depth and missed the playoffs, especially after trading captain Brad Marchand. This year, their start gives them hope to make it to the playoffs. And for that, they can look for more offensive help in Sherwood.

Also read: Quinn Hughes Trade Could See Canucks Turn to Panthers’ Matthew Tkachuk Playbook, per Insider

Philadelphia has also entered the conversation, which has missed five consecutive Stanley Cup playoffs. This season, they have hopes to end that stretch with a 14-8-3 record. They have acquired players like Trevor Zegras, but they could use Sherwood as a depth piece.

If the Canucks open the door, Philadelphia, Boston, and Tampa Bay will be waiting on the other side. A trade deal will not solve every problem facing Vancouver, but it could mark the beginning of change.