Canucks Rumors: Sherwood's Next Contract & Trade Options

The Vancouver Canucks are at the bottom of the NHL standings with 23 points and have four forwards, a defenseman, and their starting goalie all injured, plus more have spent time on the shelf. This has been a recipe for disaster since very early in the season and it is getting to the point where they could start making trades sooner rather than later.

At the top of the trade list is Kiefer Sherwood, who has a very good cap hit of $1.5 million AAV, is in the second and final year of his deal before becoming a UFA, and while his scoring surprised many last season with 19 being put up in 78 games, he has elevated his game even more and has 12 goals in 27 games.

Elliotte Friedman said, "There's very few that see him as a rental, and if you can get permission to talk to him, and you can keep him, I think the price would obviously go up. That's why an NHL player in return is being discussed."

Sherwood plays a unique style where he hits everything that moves. That allowed him to set an NHL record last season. He is just one of two Canucks on the entire team that averages more than two minutes per game on the power play and penalty kill, leads the team in goals by three, and is second amongst forwards in points.

Nick Kypreos reported, "He is looking for $5 million or north of that on a six-year deal." With the cap rising and expected to continue to rise, this seems like a fair deal for the many aspects Sherwood brings to games. If, and likely when a team is able to acquire Sherwood from the Canucks, they would be getting a player in his prime on a very low cap hit, and have the player they would want to go after in free agency already. While it will cost a player, likely on the younger end, it could be very worth it for a contender.