logo
CanucksArmy has no direct affiliation to the Vancouver Canucks, Canucks Sports & Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA
Checking in on Kiefer Sherwood ahead of his first game vs. Canucks since trade to San Jose
alt
Photo credit: © David Gonzales-Imagn Images
Jeff Paterson
Apr 10, 2026, 14:55 EDTUpdated: Apr 10, 2026, 14:57 EDT
Comments
The Vancouver Canucks, more than anyone, know they’ll need to keep their heads up on Saturday night. That’s because they’ll get a look at Kiefer Sherwood in a San Jose Sharks uniform for the first time since the popular winger was dealt to the Bay Area in a January 19th trade that netted the Canucks a pair of second-round draft picks.
While Sherwood may still have some friends on the other side Saturday, he and the Sharks are playing for their playoff lives and, as such, any affinity the 31-year-old winger feels toward his old club will certainly be put on hold for the night. The Canucks have to be prepared for Sherwood to do what he always does – finish every check no matter the opponent.
On Thursday night in Anaheim, Sherwood matched his career high with 12 hits against the Ducks. It was the fourth time he’s reached double-digits in the hit department in a game this season and the third time he’s racked up 12 hits in a game in his career.
In 24 games as a Shark, Sherwood has scored six times and added four assists while averaging 16:53 of ice time. Where he’s left his mark – where he always leaves his mark – is leading San Jose and sitting second in the National Hockey League since his February 4th Sharks debut with 115 hits. 
Sherwood’s hit rate in San Jose is slightly ahead of the pace he had established in his 44 games with the Canucks earlier this season. He is averaging 4.79 hits per game as a Shark compared to 4.77 in the first half of the season in Vancouver, where he led the club with 210 hits before he was traded.
In San Jose, Sherwood has settled into a second line role with Alex Wennberg and William Eklund. He’s also logged 1:08 of power play time per game and seen limited duty as a penalty killer.
While Sherwood was held off the scoresheet by the Ducks on Thursday, he had scored in San Jose’s two previous games and has points in three of the team’s last four outings.
After making the trade for him, the Sharks wasted little time in committing to Sherwood as part of their core group moving forward. On March 4th, the club announced a five-year $28.75M extension, which carries an annual average value of $5.75M. It’s a significant raise from the $1.5M he had made the past two seasons and provides him with financial security for the first time in his NHL career. 
The Sharks were hoping that Sherwood would provide a boost to an incredibly talented young roster led by Macklin Celebrini and would help the hockey club qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since the spring of 2019. After dropping three of their last four, that is now looking like a long shot. But it’s not out of the question.
With just four games remaining and sitting four points back of Los Angeles, with Nashville and Winnipeg also ahead of them, the Sharks have their work cut out for them to make up the ground necessary to sneak into the post-season. So they’ll surely be a desperate bunch when the Canucks come calling on Saturday night. And you know Kiefer Sherwood will be ready to finish every check possible against his former hockey club.

PRESENTED BY PACIFIC TOYOTA DEALERS

Need performance without compromise? Check out the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid. Enjoy up to 72 km of electric range on battery alone. Heading farther for an away game? It seamlessly switches to gas for a combined 962 km range. It’s a total power play on the road with a sleek design and sophisticated, tech-loaded interior. Plus, you can recharge easily at home or utilize over 2,000 public charging stations in BC. Experience range, style, and versatility. Visit your local Pacific Toyota dealer during Red Tag Days for limited-time offers.

Editorials

Breaking News