New San Jose Sharks forward Kiefer Sherwood won\u2019t play his first game on Friday, but he introduced himself to the media on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Sherwood didn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just excited. I looked at the standings right away. Obviously, you just want to be able to compete and be in the hunt,\u201d Sherwood said. \u201cThat\u2019s something that I\u2019m really looking forward to. Helping this team and pushing forward in the second half.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sherwood projects to play an important role for the Sharks. Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky<\/a> is itching to get him in the lineup and sees the forward as a potential top-six winger.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re excited to add him to the group,\u201d Warsofsky said. \u201cI think he\u2019s a guy that brings a competitive nature about himself. You can see him skate. He can shoot it. We\u2019ve seen him here quite often. In the games, [we\u2019ve gone against him, he really] impacts the games in a lot of different ways.\u201d<\/p>\n As far as what excites him about joining the team, Sherwood says the buzz around the Sharks he\u2019s ready to experience.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Shark Tank is a special place when it gets buzzing,\u201d Sherwood said. \u201c[I will] try to add to that, as much as I can.<\/p>\n \u201cJust playing in the west my whole career, so [I\u2019ve] been in San Jose and seen the good spots. Now I\u2019m looking forward tovisiting the neighborhoods in the suburbs.\u201d<\/p>\n Sherwood told reporters that he and his wife got married in Carmel, CA\u2014roughly an hour south of San Jose.<\/p>\n Sherwood could play on a line with Macklin Celebrini<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a dog, just the way he competes, the way he battles. He\u2019s hard to play against, and that\u2019s something that I respected, playing against him,\u201d Celebrini said. \u201cJust anytime you\u2019re matched up against him, you know it\u2019s not going to be easy. I\u2019m happy to have that on our team now.\u201d<\/p>\n Sherwood will be an unrestricted free agent this summer if the Sharks don\u2019t sign him to an extension. The winger isn\u2019t worried about that part and is focused on rehabbing his injury<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m leaving that to my agent. They do that work. I\u2019m just trying to stay in the present and just get settled in as quickly as I can,\u201d Sherwood said. \u201cI want to play as soon as I can. That game against Vancouver, I\u2019m going to try to make that happen. So that\u2019s kind of where my head\u2019s at.\u201d<\/p>\n Warsofsky said the forward was on the ice today, rehabbing. The San Jose Sharks are optimistic that Sherwood can return before the Olympic break.<\/p>\n Sherwood day to day. Says the #SJSharks<\/a> are optimistic that he can return before Olympic break. Won\u2019t play tomorrow<\/p>\n \u2014 Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) January 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The Sharks host the New York Rangers on Friday before going on a five-game road trip that leads directly into the Olympic break.<\/p>\n