Cole Clayton Headed to Vancouver in Sherwood Trade as Canucks Add Picks Ahead of Deadline

Mo. Basuony

ago 2 hours

Cole Clayton

Defenseman Cole Clayton is on the move in a Monday trade that sends winger Kiefer Sherwood to the San Jose Sharks and brings Clayton plus two second-round draft picks to the Vancouver Canucks.

The deal, announced Jan. 19, 2026, comes more than a month ahead of the NHL trade deadline and reflects two teams pulling in different directions: San Jose adding a proven goal-scorer for a push, and Vancouver converting a pending free agent into future assets and organizational depth.

What the trade is

Vancouver acquired:

Defenseman Cole Clayton
A second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
A second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft

San Jose acquired:

Forward Kiefer Sherwood

Sherwood, 30, is a pending unrestricted free agent and had 17 goals and 23 points in 44 games this season. He has been out since Jan. 10 with an undisclosed injury. He also ranks among the league leaders in hits and recorded two hat tricks this season.

Who is Cole Clayton

Clayton is a 25-year-old right-shot defenseman who has spent the 2025–26 season in the American Hockey League. Listed at 6-foot-2 and about 198 pounds, the Strathmore, Alberta native has not yet made his NHL debut.

This season, Clayton has produced modest offense from the blue line in the AHL while handling a depth role, and he projects as an organizational defense option who can bolster Vancouver’s farm system immediately.

Why this matters for Vancouver and San Jose

For Vancouver, the move is a classic deadline-style transaction made early: turning a useful veteran winger nearing free agency into two premium mid-round picks and a defenseman who can slot into the system.

For San Jose, it’s a bet that Sherwood’s goal-scoring, physical play, and ability to tilt the ice can help now. Sherwood has been one of Vancouver’s most productive finishers this season, and the Sharks paid a notable price in draft capital to add him.

What’s next

Clayton is expected to report to Vancouver’s organization, with his short-term role likely centered in the AHL. Sherwood’s timeline will depend on his health status, but the Sharks acquired him with the intention of having him impact their lineup down the stretch.