January 19th, 2026
Alex Rickman
The second domino has fallen.
As the Canucks get further into their rebuild, more and more difficult departures are going to come. After December’s deal that saw Quinn Hughes join the Minnesota Wild, it was only a matter of time until we saw the next painful departure from the team. On Monday morning, that move came, as Kiefer Sherwood was sent to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for second-round picks in the 2026 and 2027 drafts, as well as 25-year-old defenceman Cole Clayton.
With the recent news that the Canucks had given Sherwood’s representatives permission to speak to other teams about a trade, it was only a matter of time before a deal came through. What may have come as a surprise, however, is the fact that the Canucks pulled the trigger on a deal so quickly while also not acquiring the first-round pick it had long been suggested they were demanding back in any deal for Sherwood. With that being said, however, this is by no means a bad deal for Vancouver.
Sherwood has been the Canucks best forward, and arguably best player altogether, this season. Leading the team in goals and hits, as well as offering meaningful contributions on special teams, there is not a situation that Kiefer Sherwood hasn’t found a way to thrive in during his time in Vancouver. With the Canucks current state and Sherwood out of a contract this summer, this deal was inevitable. However, a recent injury, as well as a market saturated with high-end talent, has not entirely played into Vancouver’s hand over recent weeks, as contenders may be looking to save up their assets in order to enter the bidding war for the likes of Artemi Panarin and other big names who may be available.
Landing the Sharks' second-round pick in this draft class, currently sitting at 44th overall, gives the Canucks four selections in the top 60 of this draft. To not only get that, but to add an additional second for 2027, is definitely worthwhile business for Vancouver. One does, however, have to wonder if the Canucks could have played their cards a little better in order to land another first, particularly in this loaded 2026 class. With that being said, however, adding two high draft picks in a period where the team need to be adding young talent is great to see for this Canucks team.
Now, the eyes of Canucks fans can shift to an Evander Kane deal, as well as the possibility of players who aren’t pending free agents being moved. Kane, as the Canucks only remaining high-profile UFA, should be expected to wind up elsewhere ahead of the trade deadline. With reported interest from his former GM, Ken Holland, could we see Kane make the move down to California to join the LA Kings? Time will tell, but what we can say is that every part of that deal would be a welcome sight for Canucks fans.
As for extended players, a deal is always less likely due to factors such as the salary cap and no-trade clauses, but should one happen before the deadline or into the offseason, look to see Jake Debrusk, Conor Garland, and Elias Pettersson among those moved from the forward core. On the blue line, Filip Hronek is the most valuable piece the Canucks could deal, but all signs point to Hronek remaining in Vancouver. The trade market is always unpredictable, however, so we’ll see how things shape up going forward.
Sherwood will be missed in Vancouver. From his hit anything that moves mentality to some electric goals when the Canucks needed someone to step up, Sherwood always gave it his all during a period where it looked like few players on this team were doing so. Hopefully, on a much better Sharks team, Sherwood can show how important he can be to a team with a better chance of going somewhere right now, and be there to protect childhood Canucks fan and North Vancouver native Macklin Celebrini.
Thanks for everything, Kief.