SJHN Daily: Sharks Eye UFA Sherwood, Speculate on Panarin to San Jose

The San Jose Sharks have made headlines with their acquisition of Kiefer Sherwood from the Vancouver Canucks. This trade involved two second-round draft picks and defenseman Cole Clayton. A key focus surrounding Sherwood’s move to San Jose is his status as a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) at the end of the current season.

Contract Negotiations and Player Performance

Despite the enthusiasm around Sherwood’s arrival, there has been little progress on contract negotiations. NHL insider Chris Johnston reported that a significant gap remains between the Sharks’ valuation of Sherwood’s future contract and the demands from him and his agent. According to Johnston, Sherwood is looking to secure a long-term deal worth approximately $30 million.

At 30 years old, Sherwood is enjoying a productive season, having scored 17 goals in just 44 games. This performance has drawn praise from NHL scouts, with some stating that he could benefit any of the league’s 32 teams.

Other Sharks News and Speculations

In addition to Sherwood, the Sharks are contemplating other roster changes. Notably, there’s speculation around potential interest in New York Rangers forward Artemi Panarin. This rumor came to light during a recent episode of San Jose Hockey Now.

• The Sharks are exploring options for their blue line and remain open to trades.
• Defenseman Nick Leddy was waived as part of this shift.
• Macklin Celebrini is emerging as a candidate for MVP considerations.

Additionally, Quentin Musty, a highly regarded prospect in the Sharks’ development pipeline, is expected to make an impact in the NHL soon. If he performs well upon his arrival, he could solidify his worth within the team’s future plans.

League Developments

Across the NHL, various teams are making strategic moves. The Pittsburgh Penguins recently acquired Ilya Solovyov in a trade with the Colorado Avalanche, who are also considering options involving Nazem Kadri.

Other notable news includes:

• Linus Ullmark discussing his leave of absence for mental health reasons.
• Alex Steeves signing a contract extension with the Boston Bruins.
• Seth Jones being replaced on Team USA due to injury.

As the Sharks navigate these complex developments, their focus on building a competitive team continues. With Sherwood’s performance and potential acquisitions, the future looks intriguing for San Jose. Fans eagerly await how these decisions will unfold in the coming weeks.