9 teams with rumoured interest in Vancouver Canucks' Sherwood and what they could offer
The Vancouver Canucks veterans are for sale, and the player drawing the most interest appears to be Kiefer Sherwood.
But what could the Canucks actually get in return?
Considering the rumoured demand, simply trading Sherwood for a second-round pick would be disappointing.
Could the Canucks actually pry a first-round pick or a young player with legitimate upside out of another organization?
Let’s start by looking at the assets on the nine teams that seem interested in Sherwood, according to reports from The Fourth Period and RG Media.
1. Boston Bruins
Assets to offer: Fraser Minten, Dans Ločmelis, Florida’s 2027 first-round pick
Sherwood’s physical presence fits the identity of how the Boston Bruins typically play hockey.
Boston is armed with multiple first-round picks. That includes two in 2026 (with one belonging to the lowly Toronto Maple Leafs) and two in 2027, where they received a first-round pick in the Brad Marchand trade.
Could their surplus of first-rounders make them a team more willing to part with one of those picks in return for Sherwood?
In terms of younger assets, Vancouver-native and centre Fraser Minten could replace Sherwood in the Canucks line-up as a high-compete forward who likes to hit. Latvian Dans Ločmelis is another prospect at centre who impressed last season in the AHL and at the World Championships.
2. New York Islanders
Assets to offer: Calum Ritchie, Danny Nelson, Danill Prokhorov, Colorado’s 2026 first-round pick
The New York Islanders have been better than expected this season thanks to Matthew Schaefer’s incredible start and Bo Horvat’s goal-scoring prowess.
They also have assets to offer if they want to acquire Sherwood.
Calum Richtie would be a big ask as a former first-round pick who’s currently playing games with the team, but perhaps the Canucks could add to a potential Sherwood deal if they covet the 20-year-old centre.
Danny Nelson is a physical prospect who projects more as a third-line centre, while big, Russian winger Danill Prokhorov is a 2025 second-round pick with interesting upside.
The Islanders also have two first-round picks in the 2026 NHL Draft: their own and one that originally belonged to the Colorado Avalanche
3. Buffalo Sabres
Assets to offer: Jiri Kulich, Konsta Helenius
And, after missing the playoffs for 14 straight seasons, you couldn’t blame the Buffalo Sabres for wanting to add to their roster in a desperation push for the postseason.
Centre Jiri Kulich has impressed since being selected 28th overall in 2022, while the Sabres also have talented playmaking centre Konsta Helenius in their pipeline.
4. Detroit Red Wings
Assets to offer: Nate Danielson, Marco Kasper, Michael Brandsegg-Nygård
The Hockey News recently published an article on how the Detroit Red Wings should pursue Sherwood, while RG Media also named them as a team that has shown interest.
Detroit has two young centres whom they recently drafted in the first round, with Nate Danielson and Marco Kasper. Danielson started playing NHL games this season, while Kasper has hit a sophomore slump after an impressive rookie season.
Winger Michael Brandsegg-Nygård is another lofty target, as the 2024 first-rounder has registered 11 points in 12 AHL games this season. With any of these targets, Vancouver would likely have to add a sweetener along with Sherwood to consummate a deal.
5. Colorado Avalanche
Assets to offer: 2027 first-round pick, two 2027 second-round picks
Buying a player like Sherwood makes sense for a Colorado Avalanche team that seems poised to make a Stanley Cup run.
However, they have the worst prospect pipeline in the league, and they have no draft picks until the fourth round in 2026.
Would the Canucks be willing to trade Sherwood for any of the Avalanche’s draft picks in 2027?
6. Dallas Stars
Assets to offer: Mavrik Bourque, Emil Hemming, Cameron Schmidt
The Dallas Stars don’t have a first-round pick in this draft or in 2028, thanks to the Mikko Rantanen trade. That makes it hard to see them parting with a 2027 first-rounder for Sherwood.
Mavrik Bourque is a 23-year-old centre who plays a responsible, albeit unexciting game. Wingers Emil Hemming and Vancouver Giants’ star Cameron Schmidt are two of their other top prospects with upside whom the Canucks could target.
7. Minnesota Wild
Assets to offer: Liam Ohgren, Charlie Stramel, Hunter Haight, Riley Heidt
The Stars, Avalanche, and Minnesota Wild were all named by The Fourth Period as teams that would love to have Sherwood.
Minnesota has a deeper prospect pool compared to its Central Division counterparts.
Liam Ohgren, who played with Jonathan Lekkerimäki in Sweden and at the World Juniors, is an interesting name to consider.
Charlie Stramel was a reach at 21st overall in 2023, but he’s a big, right-shot centre who projects as a future third-line pivot.
Hunter Haight and Riley Heidt are both undersized centre prospects with some skill.
8. Montreal Canadiens
Assets to offer: Owen Beck, multiple 2026 second-round picks
The Montreal Canadiens have cooled off after a hot start, but they’re still looking to qualify for the postseason for the second year in a row.
A fear among Canucks fans might be that the Canucks target players like Kirby Dach or Alex Newhook in a trade. Those players seem like guys that Jim Benning would have targeted, intending to win now, rather than win later.
Among their prospects, Michael Hage would be a dream-add. The 19-year-old has 22 points in 17 games for the University of Michigan. Owen Beck projects as more of a bottom-six centre. The Habs also have two second-round picks in this year’s draft.
9. New Jersey Devils
Assets to offer: Lenni Hameenaho, 2026 first-round pick
The New Jersey Devils are currently the top team in the Eastern Conference. Could that make them a team to realistically trade their first-round pick for Sherwood?
Outside of that, winger Lenni Hameenaho is currently with their AHL team after finishing as one of the top scorers in Finland’s SM-Liiga as a 20-year-old last season.