Sharks’ pending UFA unsure of where things stand as trade deadline nears

SAN JOSE – For those curious about where things stand contract-wise between the San Jose Sharks and Kiefer Sherwood, you’re not alone.

Sherwood is, too.

With the NHL trade deadline just 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, about the state of negotiations on a potential new deal with the Sharks.

“Hopefully things will take care of itself sooner than later,” Sherwood told Bay Area News Group. “My focus has just been on playing, and I trust him. He’s going to take care of everything like that. I’ve got a lot of faith in him for whatever happens.

“I’m just 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 – presumably spread out over at least five or six years — in his next contract.

The Sharks acquired Sherwood from the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 19 for two second-round draft picks, including one this year, and defenseman Cole Clayton. Shortly afterward, it was reported that the gap between the Sharks and Sherwood’s camp about what the winger’s next deal would look like was substantial.

Tuesday’s game was the Sharks’ last before the trade deadline on Friday at noon (PST). Even if the Sharks don’t have a contract extension in place with Sherwood by then, they can decide to keep him for the stretch run as they seek their first playoff appearance since 2019, and continue to try to work out a new deal. San Jose entered Tuesday three points out of a playoff spot with 24 games to play

But if the Sharks do not feel they can reach an agreement on a new deal with Sherwood and want to try to recoup at least some of the assets they have spent, they have to trade him before Friday midday.

“Post trade, we had a quick conversation,” Grier said on Jan. 22 of the contract talks he had with Sherwood’s camp. “But we were just more focused on how excited we were to add Kiefer to the group, and I think he’s going to love it here. He’s excited. We’re excited to have him, and we think it’s a great fit.

“So hopefully down the road at some point, we’ll be able to work something out.”

With any extension, the Sharks have to keep an eye on the long term.

While the Sharks have close to $55 million in cap space available for next season, per PuckPedia, they also have several roster holes to fill with only 11 NHL players under contract.

Grier also must look ahead and ensure he has the cap space needed to ward off offer sheets for Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith and re-sign them to what will assuredly be pricey extensions, as both players’ entry-level deals expire after the 2026-2027 season. Center Michael Misa and defensemen Sam Dickinson will need new deals after the 2027-28 season.

With those four players in the fold, there is little question that Sherwood is excited about the Sharks’ future. The next few days will help decide whether he will be a part of it.

“I try to be grateful for the position I’m in,” Sherwood said. “Anytime that you generate whatever noise, it’s probably a good thing. So I just try to focus on what I can control, being here, being where my feet are, and bringing it every night.

“The focus is, truthfully, just trying to get it force our way into the playoffs. We got some ground to (make up), and we have some games in hand, so we’ve got to utilize that. Each game, the stakes keep getting higher. So my focus is on what I control.”