Sherwood’s Shocking Trade to Sharks: What This Means for the Canucks’ Future

When a team is struggling, tough decisions tend to follow — and the Vancouver Canucks just shook things up by sending Kiefer Sherwood packing to the San Jose Sharks. Sherwood, who’s been lighting the lamp with a team-high 17 goals this season, will now don a different jersey after the Canucks snagged not one, but two second-round draft picks in 2026 and 2027, plus defenseman Cole Clayton in return. It’s a move dripping with strategy — Vancouver’s at the basement of the standings, and this trade screams “rebuild mode.” Sherwood’s proven his worth across four NHL squads, yet with his contract ending and free agency looming, the Canucks chose to cash in while they still could. Meanwhile, the Sharks are banking on this forward’s scoring touch to bolster their playoff push — they’re sitting tight at second wild card in the Western Conference and could use the firepower. Clayton, a young right-shot defenseman carving his path in the AHL, might just be the hidden gem in this exchange. Trades like these are what make hockey so exhilarating — they’re high stakes, high drama, and full of promise… or peril. Curious to dive into the full scoop? LEARN MORE.

Kiefer Sherwood was traded to the San Jose Sharks by the Vancouver Canucks on Monday for a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, a second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and defenseman Cole Clayton.

Sherwood, a forward, led the Canucks with 17 goals in 44 games. The 30-year-old is in the last season of a two-year, $3 million contract ($1.5 million average annual value) and can become an unrestricted free agent July 1. He has 121 points (60 goals, 61 assists) in 309 regular-season games with the Anaheim Ducks, Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators and the Canucks, and two points (one goal, one assist) in eight Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Vancouver (16-27-5) is last in the NHL standings.

Clayton, 25, has five points (two goals, three assists) in 33 games for San Jose of the American Hockey League this season, his fifth in the AHL. He was undrafted and played the previous four seasons with Cleveland, the Columbus Blue Jackets’ AHL affiliate.

“We would like to thank Kiefer for all his hard work and dedication in Vancouver,” Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said. “As an organization, we take a lot of pride in giving him the opportunity to grow and excel as a player. Given where things currently stand and the direction of our rebuild, we felt it was necessary to make a move like this as we continue to build our pipeline.

“In addition to adding two draft picks, Cole is a right-shot defenseman who will report to Abbotsford [in the AHL].”

The Sharks (24-20-3) are tied for the second wild card into the playoffs from the Western Conference entering their game against the Florida Panthers on Monday (6 p.m. ET; SCRIPPS, NBCSCA).