Canucks Coffee: Why Kiefer Sherwood's scoring slump doesn't alter his trade value

Recession reducing production, presence and longevity is a common concern for those in the NHL trade game.

They see two factors as caution flags in pursuit of a player — advancing age affecting compete and drop in goal scoring — for giving second thought on what to part with in a transaction. Or maybe, just step away.

Those who watch feisty Vancouver Canucks right-winger Kiefer Sherwood from a distance could conclude that turning 31 on March 31, combined with a goal-scoring slump at nine games, is altering his value. They should check video clips from Friday at Rogers Arena.

Sherwood got to the slot early to tip a shot off the crossbar and was then in position again for another Grade A deflection. He set up Elias Pettersson for a tip and before ripping a wrist shot off the shoulder off giant Utah Mammoth goalie Karel Vejmelka. Sherwood also had two offensive zone take-aways and a pair of heavy hits.

All this in occurred in the opening five minutes.

Sherwood would also set up Conor Garland for a glorious power play chance and draw a retaliatory penalty for dishing out one of his nine hits to go with three shots and five attempts. Those who argue it’s a very short sample size haven’t been paying attention.

The unrestricted free agent continues to lead the Canucks in goals (12), has the second-most league hits (124), and oozes hustle and desire on his 6-foot, 194 pound bowling-ball frame.

On Saturday, he had two shots, five attempts, five hits and was a plus-3 in a 4-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild.

“Sherwood had to play that way to survive,” Canucks head coach Adam Foote said Saturday of the undrafted and undaunted winger. “And now he’s adding offence and he has that in him. Guys on the way have been good in different leagues, or as a kid, and they come here and it’s what’s next. You have to play in the dirt a little more against smart and heavy defenders.

“With a lot of young guy in our lineup, that’s what we’re trying to teach, to be comfortable and get into guys first”

That’s what Sherwood consistently does. And that will ensure the Columbus, Ohio native gets more goals and trade attention.

In his nine-game goal funk, he had 18 shots, 55 attempts, and 21 hits. The catalyst for being on pace for a career-high 35 goals is improved fitness, stride, and underrated shot that packs accuracy and velocity. Before the slump, he had figured in 22 per cent of team goals. He’s playing harder and taking less penalties.

Still, the Canucks are who they are.

They’re good enough to compete but not good enough to win often enough and are fading from wild-card playoff contention. They’re beyond a re-tool and should shift to a rebuild. Finding a younger Sherwood 2.0 clone won’t be easy because the Canucks want a player and not pick in return, even if the 2026 NHL Draft is deep in talent.

The Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets are among those kicking the tires on Sherwood.

They see a winger built for the playoff grind, but do they want to commit long term? Sherwood is the perfect rental with an expiring US$1.5 million cap hit, but losing him in the off-season to free agency defeats the purpose of parting with a younger player in a trade.

And this is where the Canucks are at with Sherwood.

They love the player, but not tripling his salary in an unlikely extension or in free agency. If they don’t want to buck up, they have to get something tangible in return. A roster player, or prime prospect, seems likely and the Canucks would prefer one with NHL experience and upside.

The Wild could be willing to dangle winger Liam Ohgren, 21, a 2022 first-round pick, who’s growing his game on the fourth line. Like other prospects, he excelled in the AHL with 27 points (19-18) win 41 games last season. However, the NHL is a different animal as his seven points (3-4) in 44 games can attest.

The Canucks would probably prefer a more seasoned roster player than Ohgren, who was taken four picks after Jonathan Lekkerimaki. Or perhaps, they push to add a pick. The pre-draft book on Ohgren was that the 6-foot, 197 pound Stockholm native projected as a power forward. The Canucks have some level of interest.

Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets also see Sherwood as that rugged winger perfectly suited for the post-season.

Columbus is probably willing to do the same as the Wild, unload a right-winger who has teased of NHL potential. Yegor Chinakov, 24, had 29 points (16-13) in 53 games with the Blue Jackets in 2023-24, but hasn’t built on it. The 6-foot-1, 203 pound Omsk native had 15 points (7-8) in 30 NHL games last season.

The buzz is Chinakov, a restricted free agent with good bursts of speed and an elite shot, wants a change of scenery. But do the Canucks really want another first-rounder (2020) still trying to find his way? Probably not.

bkuzma@postmedia.con