Hometown Team Open to Big Contract Offer for Kiefer Sherwood

The Columbus Blue Jackets have entered the mix when it comes to one of the NHL’s most talked-about trade targets. According to The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline, Columbus is among the teams that have spoken with the Vancouver Canucks about scenarios involving hometown winger Kiefer Sherwood.

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Despite blowing too many third-period leads, the Blue Jackets aren’t acting like a rebuilding club. Management believes this group can push, and Sherwood fits what they’re trying to do. The 30-year-old power forward is leading Vancouver in goals, plays a direct, physical style, helps on both special teams, and carries a budget-friendly $1.5 million cap hit in the final year of his deal. For that reason, he’s attractive to several NHL clubs, the Blue Jackets among them.

Portzline writes: “The Blue Jackets are among the clubs that have spoken to the Vancouver Canucks about trade scenarios, including a trade that could bring forward Kiefer Sherwood home to Columbus.” He adds that the Boston Bruins are also kicking tires and making a solid push.

Are the Blue Jackets Willing to Offer Sherwood a Big Extension?

One of the things that makes the Blue Jackets so intriguing is their rumored willingness to offer Sherwood a big deal after acquiring him. Ready to pay upwards of $5 million per season on a multi-year deal, the Blue Jackets would be going all in.

Because Sherwood is a Columbus native, there is some belief he might be open to that idea. Up to this point, the Canucks have not given any teams a chance to talk with Sherwood about an extension.

It’s unclear if the Bruins, Flyers, Penguins, Islanders, Rangers, Stars, Canadiens, Lightning, and Wild — all of whom are reportedly interested in Sherwood — would be willing to do the same. Sherwood is a pending UFA and part of spending the assets it would take to get him is the comfort in knowing he won’t bolt in free agency and is more than a rental.

The Canucks can afford to be patient, especially if a suitor like the Blue Jackets is willing to discuss an extension. Vancouver can always circle back to those talks, even if Sherwood’s production takes a dip.

Some insiders believe a late first-round pick is now possible as part of the trade. If so, the Blue Jackets will need to decide how far they’re willing to go to bring Sherwood home.

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