Canucks Rumors: Big Asking Price For Sherwood

The Vancouver Canucks are third-last in the NHL and have two wins in their past 10 games. Along with injuries, this is a team that has it tough and looks to be on the path to selling some pieces, maybe even major ones, by the trade deadline.

Among the players generating a lot of interest is Kiefer Sherwood, who leads the Canucks in goals with 12 and is tied in second amongst forwards with 16 points. This is a player who leads the league in hits as well, as he already has 106 hits in 26 games. The mix of goal-scoring and physicality is very rare and also valuable.

The Canucks are expected to get a nice return for Sherwood. Thomas Drance said, "They'd be seeking either young players or at least a second-round pick in return." David Pagnotta also reported, "I am hearing it's a first-round pick plus for Kiefer Sherwood."

This type of return for Sherwood makes perfect sense as he brings many things to his team. He is a pending UFA with a cap hit of $1.5 million AAV, affordable for any team that wishes to reach out to the Canucks with interest for the forward. The 30-year-old can also play up and down the lineup and be just as effective.

Last season, Sherwood scored 19 goals and 40 points (36 at even strength), while setting an NHL record of 462 hits and playing under 15 minutes per game. He has had to step up even further and is now playing close to 18 minutes per game. He is also one of only two players on the entire team who are averaging over two minutes per game on both the power play and penalty kill.

The Canucks are stuck with a core group of average players for many more years and are likely set to lose Quinn Hughes at the end of next season at the very latest. It is time they start seriously considering a rebuild or big retool and trading Sherwood, who is asking for a lot on his next deal, and deservedly, is a good place to start.