NHL rumors: Elliotte Friedman says Canucks will "take their time" to make trade decision on Kiefer Sherwood, Conor Garland

The Vancouver Canucks headed into Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Kings sitting one point above the Calgary Flames, in the last position in the Pacific Division. Their General Manager, Patrik Allvin, was reportedly, earlier in the week, inviting trade deals for certain veteran players.

On top of that list was Kiefer Sherwood, whose two-year $3 million contract with the team is expiring at the end of the season. The right winger has scored 16 points in 25 games, including 12 goals for the team.

According to Elliotte Friedman, on Sportsnet's Saturday Headlines segment, the Canucks are unwilling to trade the forward just yet. They are likely to hold onto Sherwood till the trade deadline before they make their move.

"One of the things I thought was, maybe we might see something quick happen with Kiefer Sherwood because he's an unrestricted free agent,"Friedman said. (2:00) "He's a really good player. He's a salary everyone could handle, and I thought there would be a lot of interest.

"I was told today, it doesn't look like it's going to be fast. There's nothing imminent in Vancouver... but I think there's some teams who are very interested. Teams like Minnesota, Boston, potentially Philadelphia (and) others."

Friedman also reported that, alongside Sherwood, forward Conor Garland, who has 15 points this season, had emerged as a potential trade candidate. The 29-year-old's five-year $24.75 million contract is also expiring at the end of the current season. However, Garland had already signed a six-year $36 million contract with the Canucks on July 1.

Currently, the goal for the organization is to weigh its options and make the right move by March 6.

"They are more than comfortable to take their time, just see what the market is and wait if they have to," Friedman added. "And again, the goal is to get younger. Everybody knows that they want to get younger, and they're going to wait until they get something they like."

Elliotte Friedman gives latest on Quinn Hughes' status

There was speculation that Vancouver could be inclined to listen to offers for Quinn Hughes, who would be heading into his final season in 2026-27. But as Friedman had reported earlier in the week, the Canucks aren't prioritizing trading Hughes at any point this season. He stated that there were no developments regarding his trade on Saturday.

"Nothing," Hughes said. "I knew you were gonna ask me that like you always ask me Quinn Hughes. Nothing."

Hughes has already been linked to sign with the New Jersey Devils in free agency, where his brothers Luke and Jack play. The former Norris Trophy winner has 22 points in 20 games.