New San Jose Sharks forward Kiefer Sherwood won’t play his first game on Friday, but he introduced himself to the media on Thursday.
Sherwood didn’t practice but did skate as he continues to rehab from an upper-body injury. The winger has 17 goals in 44 games and wants to help his new team continue its push for a Stanley Cup Playoff berth.
“I’m just excited. I looked at the standings right away. Obviously, you just want to be able to compete and be in the hunt,” Sherwood said. “That’s something that I’m really looking forward to. Helping this team and pushing forward in the second half.”
Sherwood projects to play an important role for the Sharks. Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky is itching to get him in the lineup and sees the forward as a potential top-six winger.
“We’re excited to add him to the group,” Warsofsky said. “I think he’s a guy that brings a competitive nature about himself. You can see him skate. He can shoot it. We’ve seen him here quite often. In the games, [we’ve gone against him, he really] impacts the games in a lot of different ways.”
As far as what excites him about joining the team, Sherwood says the buzz around the Sharks he’s ready to experience.
“The Shark Tank is a special place when it gets buzzing,” Sherwood said. “[I will] try to add to that, as much as I can.
“Just playing in the west my whole career, so [I’ve] been in San Jose and seen the good spots. Now I’m looking forward tovisiting the neighborhoods in the suburbs.”
Sherwood told reporters that he and his wife got married in Carmel, CA—roughly an hour south of San Jose.
Sherwood could play on a line with Macklin Celebrini. Celebrini and Sherwood met for the first time on Thursday and spoke highly of each other. Celebrini told media members that he did not like going against Sherwood whenever the San Jose Sharks played the Vancouver Canucks.
“He’s a dog, just the way he competes, the way he battles. He’s hard to play against, and that’s something that I respected, playing against him,” Celebrini said. “Just anytime you’re matched up against him, you know it’s not going to be easy. I’m happy to have that on our team now.”
Sherwood will be an unrestricted free agent this summer if the Sharks don’t sign him to an extension. The winger isn’t worried about that part and is focused on rehabbing his injury.
“I’m leaving that to my agent. They do that work. I’m just trying to stay in the present and just get settled in as quickly as I can,” Sherwood said. “I want to play as soon as I can. That game against Vancouver, I’m going to try to make that happen. So that’s kind of where my head’s at.”
Warsofsky said the forward was on the ice today, rehabbing. The San Jose Sharks are optimistic that Sherwood can return before the Olympic break.
Sherwood day to day. Says the #SJSharks are optimistic that he can return before Olympic break. Won’t play tomorrow
— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) January 22, 2026
The Sharks host the New York Rangers on Friday before going on a five-game road trip that leads directly into the Olympic break.