Rangers rumored trade target shipped to Sharks instead
If Kiefer Sherwood is to join the New York Rangers, it’s going to be as a free agent next summer, not in a deal before the March 6 NHL Trade Deadline. The Vancouver Canucks traded the 30-year-old forward to the San Jose Sharks on Monday for two second-round draft picks, one each in 2026 and 2027, and minor league defenseman Cole Clayton.
Per several reports, the Rangers and Canucks engaged in trade talks about Sherwood. But things likely cooled when the Rangers decided to retool their roster, waive the white flag on this season, and make moves for the future, not to chase a playoff spot.
Before that, though, Chris Johnston reported on TSN’s Insider Trading that the Rangers offered ” a young player with pedigree and a second-round pick” for Sherwood. Whether Brennan Othmann was the player offered by the Rangers is unknown. The 2021 first-round pick was rumored to be on the trading block this season, when he spent more time with Hartford of the American Hockey League than in the NHL with the Rangers.
Ironically, Othmann scored his first NHL goal — in his 34th career game, ninth this season — in a 6-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday.
The Rangers would love it if Othmann simply proved to be a late bloomer like Sherwood, who came into his own as an NHL regular the past three seasons. Unlike Othmann, Sherwood was undrafted and is now on his fifth team. This season, the rugged forward has 18 goals, 23 points, and is second in the NHL with 210 hits.
Last season, he established career highs with 19 goals, 21 assists, 40 points, and 78 games played. Sherwood also led the League with a whopping 462 hits, most in NHL history.
Kiefer Sherwood traded to Sharks after Rangers rumors
Like the Canucks, the Rangers are in the midst of a second consecutive disappointing season and expected to be major sellers ahead of the trade deadline. The Canucks already traded their captain, former Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes, to the Minnesota Wild, and appear open to dealing star center Elias Pettersson. Of course, a year ago on Jan. 31, the Rangers acquired J.T. Miller in a trade with the Canucks.
The Rangers let Artemi Panarin know that they won’t offer him a contract extension and plan to trade the pending unrestricted free agent forward. There’s much speculation about which other players the Rangers plan to deal away as part of the retool.
As far as Sherwood and next summer are concerned, he’ll be a UFA seeking a hefty raise over his current $1.5 million annual salary. That likely makes him a better fit with the Sharks or a Stanley Cup contender, though his play style is what the Rangers crave more of on their roster.
Perhaps Othmann, with more high-end skill and a distinct willingness to play a heavy, physical game can fill that role moving forward.
