NHL trade rumors: Insider reports Canadiens, $1.55B franchise join hunt for Canucks' Kiefer Sherwood

Vancouver Canucks forward Kiefer Sherwood is in the final year of his two-year, $3 million contract ($1.5 million AAV). According to reports, Sherwood is expected to be involved in trades when Canucks management starts to sell.

Sherwood is reportedly seeking a $5 million AAV (or higher) on a six-year deal—more than tripling his current pay—which Vancouver views as too risky given his age and breakout timing.

However, they are more than comfortable taking their time, just seeing what the market looks like and waiting if they have to. Among the interested teams, the Montreal Canadiens and Dallas Stars have shown interest in the forward.

According to NHL insider Pierre LeBrun, the Minnesota Wild, currently valued at $1.55 billion by Forbes, have also shown interest in Sherwood as they’re looking for a top-six forward. Speaking on TSN, LeBrun said:

"Among the teams that have showed interest, the Minnesota Wild are looking for a top six upgrade. They've checked in. I'm told Montreal and Dallas are also among a long list of teams that at the very least have kicked tires. But again, that's a long list of teams. Now Vancouver's not rushing into this."

He added:

"I'm told they want to get a full picture of what the market looks like. But what will be interesting to me is are some of these teams who go more serious in these talks willing to sign Sherwood as part of this to make the value greater for Vancouver? We'll see if that happens or not."

Kiefer Sherwood leads the Canucks with 12 goals in 26 games this season for the Canucks, currently sitting seventh in the Pacific Division with a 10-14-3 record.

Kiefer Sherwood's Canucks fall to the Colorado Avalanche

On Tuesday, the Vancouver Canucks suffered a 3-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. The Avs improved their record to 19-1-6, sitting atop the league standings.

Linus Karlsson, who was the lone scorer for the Canucks in the matchup, opened the scoring for the team after putting them ahead 1-0 at 2:35 of the first period. With less than a minute remaining, Nathan MacKinnon tied it 1-1 for the Avs before heading into the second period.

Brock Nelson increased the Avs' lead to 2-1 at 13:52 of the second period. MacKinnon scored his second of the night to seal the win for Colorado at 19:26.