The San Jose Sharks have had initial contract talks with newly acquired forward Kiefer Sherwood, according to reports.
During Tuesday’s TSN Insider Trading, NHL Insider Chris Johnston reported that the Sharks and Sherwood have a “pretty big gap” in what each side views regarding an extension.
“They gave up two second-round picks. For a team where the Sharks are in their retool, rebuild, that’s not the kind of outlay that they are going to make expecting him to walk away in free agency,” Johnston said. “The initial conversation didn’t bear much fruit. There’s still a pretty big gap between where the Sharks see Kiefer Sherwood’s next contract going and what he and his agent think is fair.”
Sherwood is a late bloomer in the NHL. He’s played 309 NHL games and turns 31 on March 31st. Before playing for the Vancouver Canucks last season, Sherwood’s career high in goals was ten in 2023-24. That season also marked the first time he reached double digits in goals in his career.
The newest San Jose Sharks winger scored 19 goals in 78 games last season, and already has 17 in just 44 games this season. While he’s dealing with an upper-body injury, he’s clearly figured out a successful NHL style. Due to his late bloom status, the term and price of his next contract are hard to determine.
His production this season proves that his 19-goal season wasn’t a one-hit wonder. Given the Sharks are still in the early stages of their return to Stanley Cup contention, handing out long-term contracts to older players hasn’t really happened. Alexander Wennberg signed a three-year extension, and Tyler Toffoli signed for four years.
“There’s still a fair bit of work that needs to be done there. I think Sherwood’s comfortable that he can push somewhere as [high as] $30 million on a long-term deal,” Johnston said. “He is a UFA. He doesn’t have to do anything, and he’s having a tremendous season.”
If the San Jose Sharks don’t extend Sherwood, the winger will become a free agent on July 1st. Until then, the Sharks are the only team that can speak to him about his next contract.
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