Earlier this season, the Colorado Avalanche were one of the teams linked to current San Jose Sharks forward Kiefer Sherwood. The chatter picked up, but the Vancouver Canucks ended up moving the veteran forward to the Sharks for two second-round picks.
At the time, the trade was seen as underwhelming and somewhat surprising. The Sharks were believed to be looking to dip their toes in a rental. But with the club pushing for a playoff spot, GM Mike Grier made a push.
Meanwhile, the door shut on Sherwood coming to Colorado. Or so it seemed.
Now, chatter has picked up around Sherwood once again. The talk posits that the Sharks are looking to move the 30-year-old at the 2026 NHL trade deadline if they can’t extend him. According to rumors, the Sharks and Sherwood aren’t really close on an extension.
That’s why the Colorado Avalanche could circle back to Sherwood. It wouldn’t be surprising if they did.
Back in December, the prevailing talk was that the Canucks wanted a first-round pick and a prospect for Sherwood. That’s why the final price seemed surprising.
Could that price have changed now? What could the Sharks be willing to do if they had to move Sherwood? Could San Jose want to recoup its two second-round picks? Would that even be worthwhile for the Avalanche at this point?
Those questions make a potential Sherwood trade somewhat complicated for the Avalanche. Yes, there might be an appetite on the Sharks’ part to cut their losses, but then again, it shouldn’t come at just any price.
What could Avalanche do to land Sherwood?
If the Avalanche really wanted to bring Sherwood in, they might have to pony up a couple of pieces to get it done. Knowing the Sharks, they’ll likely want a prospect and a pick. The problem is that the Avalanche don’t really have many of either.
So, in my estimation, a second-rounder and a mid-level prospect could get the deal across the line. Last year, the Avs sent Nikolai Kovalenko in the MacKenzie Blackwood deal. Unfortunately for the Sharks, Kovalenko left the NHL and went back to Russia.
Perhaps that’s a situation the Avalanche could replicate on the Sharks this season. The Avs could dump a stalled prospect on the Sharks, with the draft pick being the most valuable piece in the deal.
But there’s one other angle to consider. The Sharks may be keen to cut their losses on Sherwood. So, they could be willing to dump him on anyone willing to give them a couple of draft picks, even if late-round ones.
That situation could open the door for the Avs to send two or even three sixth and seventh-rounders. Doing so wouldn’t really represent much of a loss for Colorado. And in the end, it could pay off with Sherwood contributing, most likely as a rental.
There’s still about a full workweek left before Friday’s trade deadline. So, anything can happen from now till then.