San Jose Sharks’ Kiefer Sherwood’s future is uncertain as the trade deadline approaches

SAN JOSE – For those who want to know where things stand in terms of the contract between the San Jose Sharks and Kiefer Sherwood, you are not alone.

Sherwood too.

With the NHL trade deadline a few days away, Sherwood said Tuesday morning before San Jose’s home game against the Montreal Canadiens that he was “waiting to hear back” from his agent, Judd Moldaver, regarding the status of negotiations regarding a potential new deal with the Sharks.

“Hopefully things will work out soon,” Sherwood told the Bay Area News Group. “I am focused on playing, I trust him.

“I’m focused on playing, and it’s a big game tonight.”

Sherwood, one of eight pending unrestricted free agents on the Sharks’ roster, could be, Chris Johnston of TSN and The Athletic reported in January, asking for as much as $30 million — likely spread over at least five or six years — in his next contract.

The Sharks acquired Sherwood from the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 19 for second-round draft picks, including one this year, with defenseman Cole Clayton. It wasn’t long before it was reported that there was a big gap between the Sharks camp and Sherwood over what the next deal would look like.

Tuesday’s game was the last for the Sharks before the trade deadline on Friday at noon (PST). Even if the Sharks do not have time to extend the contract with Sherwood at that time, they can decide to keep him for a long time as they want to make their first appearance in the playoffs since 2019, and continue to try to make a new deal. San Jose entered Tuesday with three points out of 24 games to play

But if the Sharks feel they can come to an agreement on a new deal with Sherwood and want to try to get back at least some of the assets they spent, they should trade him before Friday noon.

“After the trade, we had a quick conversation,” Grier said on Jan. 22 of the contract talks he had with Sherwood’s camp. “But we’ve been really focused on how excited we are to have Kiefer on the team, and I think he’s going to love it here. He’s very excited. We’re excited to have him, and we think he’s a great fit.”

“So hopefully in time, we’ll be able to work something out.”

Any extension, the Sharks should take a long-term view.

While the Sharks have nearly $55 million in cap space next season, according to PuckPedia, they also have plenty of roster holes to fill with 11 NHL players under contract.

Grier must look ahead and make sure he has the necessary cap space to close the offer sheets of Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith and re-sign them to what will be expensive extensions, as both players’ entry-level contracts expire after the 2026-2027 season. Center Michael Misa and defenseman Sam Dickinson will need new deals after the 2027-28 season.