Report: Sharks Rejected Canucks Initial Trade Offer

The Vancouver Canucks and San Jose Sharks were actively involved in trade talks throughout this past regular season, and it turns out the Canucks initially wanted a bigger return in conversations surrounding Kiefer Sherwood.

Elliotte Friedman: I think Vancouver initially asked for [Sharks forward] Igor Chernyshov when they were talking about Kiefer Sherwood - 32 Thoughts (4/17)

Sherwood, 31, appeared in 44 games for the Canucks this season, scoring 17 goals, and was eventually dealt to the Sharks for 2026 and 2027 second-round draft picks and defenseman Cole Clayton. Meanwhile, Friedman points out the Canucks management brass was looking to land Chernyshov, a former 2024 second-round pick.

The 20-year-old Chernyshov split this season between the AHL and NHL and put up great numbers in both leagues, which is impressive considering his age. The Russian forward dressed in 41 AHL games for the Barracudas, posting 13 goals and 20 assists for 33 points.

On the big club with the Sharks, in 28 games he scored nine goals and 19 points, and heading into next season, his first full season in the NHL, expect to see Chernyshov put up some big numbers as it's likely he'll be landing a top-six role out of training camp.

Given the Sharks young talent and their aggressive GM in Mike Grier, expect San Jose to take a massive leap forward and quickly become a contender in the Wester Conference. The Canucks, on the other hand, they're destined for the first overall pick, which will be nice to add Gavin McKenna, but they currently don't have a GM, and Jim Rutherford's clock is ticking as president. 

The Canucks were a mess this season and it appears they were shooting for the stars in trade talks with the Sharks, but Grier didn't budge on moving one of his best young forwards.

Photo credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images