Canucks: Sherwood hoping for ‘win-win’ after trade to the Sharks

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Undrafted. Undaunted. Unbridled. Unbelievable.

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Pick a suitable adjective, affix it to Kiefer Sherwood, and it befits the late-blooming, never satisfied culture-carrier.

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It’s why the unrestricted Vancouver Canucks right-winger was a red-hot commodity in the NHL trade market. His progress, passion and productivity from grinder to leading his club in goals with 17 — including a pair of hat tricks — and 210 hits created a constant buzz of who would land the buzzsaw.

The San Jose Sharks won the bidding war Monday morning. They parted with second-round NHL draft picks in 2026 and 2027, along with right-shot defenceman Cole Clayton, 25, as the Canucks stockpiled more help for a hopeful future.

“I’m thankful for everything this city and organization has given me,” said Sherwood. “I know they say you earn it, but you’ve got to have the opportunity. As a guy who’s a late bloomer, it was everything I could have hoped for and more. A special place to play and that’s the hard part of the business.

“You get attached. They do things the right way here and really live and breathe hockey. To have fans chant my name is crazy and sometimes I still process it and look back. Hopefully, it’s a win-win for everyone involved and leave a place better than you found it. It’s something my parents always tried to teach me.

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“It’s why that passion is a mutual respect and appreciation. I wish nothing but the best for this organization and I know, no matter what people feel, it will benefit from this with the (draft) picks. I couldn’t have asked for more. I wanted nothing more here than to make the playoffs for the city and how much it craves it. It’s different here and hopefully it’s sooner than later.

“There are so many great connections in the locker room, and that’s the hard part. So many brothers for life, so many guys I’m going to miss. There was so much adversity we’ve had to deal with and that’s a lesson in how you respond. I really loved my time here.”

With the Canucks committed to a rebuild, Sherwood’s expiring and bargain US$1.5 million salary cap hit was going be attractive as a rental player and he could also be a long-term fit for the young, speedy and resurgent Sharks.

They sport a game-changer in North Vancouver phenom and Hart Trophy candidate Macklin Celebrini, 19. The first overall selection in the 2024 NHL Draft was third in league scoring heading into Monday play with 72 points (24-48). The Sharks were also in a wild-card position for the playoffs.

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As for Sherwood, he’s rehabbing an injury, and his playing status for a Jan. 27 visit by the Sharks to Rogers Arena is uncertain.

The Canucks couldn’t reach extension terms with Sherwood, whose wife is expecting a baby in late April. He endured a series of four one-year deals at the league minimum to keep motivated and on the path to become a roster mainstay. A multi-year contract was always the goal. Now it’s closer, whether with the Sharks or in free agency.

“He has taken tremendous steps in two years and is well-liked,” said Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin. “We were trying to work an extension since the summer. I respect where he’s at in this point of his life to get paid, but it wasn’t the term we were comfortable with. We’re looking to accumulate more draft capital and getting younger.

“We did not want to sit and wait (for another trade offer) and be respectful.”

Veteran Canucks winger Conor Garland is cut from the same competitive cloth as Sherwood. The mighty mite has fight and bite, and his admiration for Sherwood is obvious.

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“Woody is a fun teammate,” said Garland, who played against Sherwood in the minors and felt his wrath as a Nashville Predators pest. “He’s a gamer and has been awesome and we’ll miss him. It’s his day-to-day mentality and practice habits. A great pro. People see the goals and hits, but it’s just his energy on the bench. You need life, he brings it.”

Canucks head coach Adam Foote was enamoured how committed Sherwood was to get better this season after putting up a career 19 goals last season and setting an NHL record for hits with 464.

“Love the guy. Love his play. Love how he brings it every night and how he kept believing in himself,” said Foote. “He builds culture. He had to play with high energy and emotion to make it and did a great job this year learning to control it.”

Allvin will make more trades but is always wary of how younger players need a guiding hand on-and-off the ice. Other teams are calling about Garland, 29, whose six-year, US$36 million extension kicks in July 1.

“We definitely need to keep players around,” said Allvin. “I don’t want to see what happened here the other night (Saturday). Losing 6-0 is not good for anyone — the fans or the players. We’re fortunate to have good veterans and good people to teach the young guys.

“But if it (trade) makes sense for us long-term we will look into it.”

bkuzma@postmedia.con

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