NHL Rumor Mill – December 3, 2025
In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, a growing number of clubs are interested in Canucks winger Kiefer Sherwood, plus the latest on the rumor linking Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry to the Oilers.
CANUCKS WINGER KIEFER SHERWOOD DRAWING INTEREST IN THE TRADE MARKET
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports there is plenty of interest in Kiefer Sherwood. The 30-year-old Vancouver Canucks winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent in July. He has a team-leading 12 goals and carries an affordable $1.5 million cap hit.
Vancouver Canucks forward Kiefer Sherwood (NHL Images).
LeBrun said the Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, and Dallas Stars were among a long list of clubs to express an interest in Sherwood. The Canucks aren’t rushing into this, as they intend to take their time evaluating the trade market. LeBrun wondered if some of those teams might be willing to sign Sherwood to a contract extension, which would increase his trade value for the Canucks.
SPORTSNET: Ryan Dixon looked at what impact Sherwood could have for the Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders, Boston Bruins, and Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Flyers could seek a short-term replacement for sidelined winger Tyson Foerster, while the Islanders could do the same for winger Kyle Palmieri. The Bruins need more secondary scoring, and the Lightning could use a little more experience with relative unknowns such as Gage Goncalves, Curtis Douglas, and Dominic James scattered throughout their lineup.
NHL.COM: Dan Rosen believes the Columbus Blue Jackets have a realistic shot at acquiring Sherwood. They’re in the hunt for the playoffs and could benefit from adding his gritty two-way game to their top-nine forwards. He also suggested Sherwood could make sense for the Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline confirmed that the Blue Jackets were among the teams to contact the Canucks about Sherwood, who is a Columbus native. He also doesn’t rule out the Bruins as a suitor, pointing out that Sherwood and Bruins forward Sean Kuraly are long-time friends.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sherwood is the current standout in a thin trade market thus far. It’s understandable why the Canucks are taking their time as they’re hoping his value will improve. However, there is a danger that his performance (especially his offense) could drop off as the season progresses, as well as the risk of injury.
WOULD THE OILERS BE INTERESTED IN PENGUINS GOALIE TRISTAN JARRY?
NHL.COM: Dan Rosen was asked what level of interest the Edmonton Oilers could have in Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry.
Rosen believes the only way the Oilers make a move for Jarry is if they think he’ll backstop them to the Stanley Cup. He pointed out that they don’t know if he’d be worth the risk over the remaining two years of his contract, while they at least know what they have in current starter Stuart Skinner.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jarry can blow hot and cold like Skinner, but the latter has carried them to two straight Stanley Cup Finals. Jarry also has an injury history that would be a concern for the Oilers.
I dont think Vancouver takes anything less than a first for Sherwood, at least they shouldnt
I am with you Kent. Sherwood is much more than his hot hand this year. A guy that hits like he does and adds offense and is a low cap hit checks a lot of boxes.
There will be quite a bit of competition to land him.
With so many teams clustered together with the hope of making the playoffs ,I can see Vancouver getting a first for him.The entire 16 teams in the Eastern Conference are separated by only 9 points.
Honestly can’t see Sherwood getting Vancouver a 1st. I guess it’ll depend on the team acquiring him and the amount of teams bidding. Also think it’s still early. As bad as they , still only 5 points outside wildcard spot. Not throwing in the towel yet.
With ya on that Slick62. Seems to be significant recency bias going on with this guy, who is now 30. Whatever a 3rd line, physical pending UFA goes for at the TDL is what he is worth, I don’t think that is a 1st.
I see a first if near deadline. Teams would know they are competing. 1st would hopefully be late in the round for them. He’s dirt cheap so he would fit almost any teams cap. And he plays playoff hockey.
Ray. 19 goals last year. Career high. Year before was 1st time regular in a lineup. Agree with Chrisms. If a contender looking for his type, it’ll be a late round pick. Columbus makes sense based on he’s from there. But they already have a couple of guys with his style in Woods and Olivier. Could definitely get him extended. Maybe a way to unload Chinakhov
I think extending him is where the biggest risk is Slick62.
Frederic is a similar type player, had a couple good goal scoring years. Then back down to earth.
Signed long term and isn’t the same physical player as he ages, which is pretty common I think.
I disgree. The cap is tight for a lot of teams and Sherwood can score, can hit, and play up and down the line up. At 1.5 mill teams will be lined up to get him. Competition will be fierce and some team who lost a good player to injury will probably over pay. That’s my call.
You’re probably bang on there, Owen. As long as it isn’t Ottawa!
He turns 31 in March and, as a UFA, will no doubt be seeking a deal somewhere in the $3.5 – $4 mil per range based on his career 82-game averages of 16g 17a 33 pts.
But, as a right-shot LW. I don’t see him as a long-term improvement over what they have now – especially with Zetterlund finally finding his scoring touch, and Kaliyev lighting it up in the AHL and demonstrating a much more aggressive nature in his two-way play. Both are much younger (Zetterlund turned 26 a few months back while Kaliyev turned 24 in June, and both are as big as Sherwood and just as aggressive.
Would Vancouver take Chinakhov plus a later pick from Clb for Sherwood?
Chinakhov has a higher salary, but is also younger and should have the higher offensive ceiling. Someone that Van can build with over the next several years.
Columbus has plenty of cap space and would probably be willing to retain 50%. He’s rfa after season.
Looks like Sequin is most likely out for the year with an ACL injury! Too bad for Tyler to miss this season!
Look for Dallas to add a couple players if he gets the surgery and 5 plus months to come back.