The Canucks May Be About to Repeat the Same Mistake That Helped the Maple Leafs

The Vancouver Canucks have gotten a surprise riser in Kiefer Sherwood, with the 30-year-old career depth forward having six goals in his first 10 games of the season, but they may end up risking making the same mistake they did with Dakota Joshua.

Known for being one of the league's most challenging and hard working forwards, Sherwood has brought some unexpected offense to his arsenal, and it's become a legitimate boost for Vancouver.

However, with his sudden offensive growth, the Canucks are maintaining a degree of hesitation to not put too much into their forward, with one contract adding to their concern.

Elliotte Friedman says the Vancouver Canucks are not nearing an extension with forward Kiefer Sherwood and pointed to current Toronto Maple Leafs forward Dakota Joshua as a factor.

Sherwood has some similarities in his growth to former teammate Dakota Joshua. Sherwood's path to the NHL was a lot harder earned and took longer.

But like him, Joshua wasn't a top prospect for a lack of production, but managed to convert a high effort level to prove himself worthy of a depth role, and eventually find some points.

Joshua signed a four-year contract extension with the Vancouver Canucks in 2023 after a career high 18 goals and 32 points, but after a cancer diagnosis shortly after, Joshua reverted back to a player struggling to produce, with just 14 points in 57 games before being traded to Toronto this offseason.

What makes Sherwood valuable isn't just that he's a highly intense player, but excels in doing the little things on the ice and from the bottom-six.

Sherwood is someone who is always up to the task, and adds value down the lineup in a physical sense.

Depth players are easy to find, but those who work as hard as someone like Dakota Joshua aren't, and the Canucks moving on from Sherwood risks Vancouver losing an integral part of their forward group.

Kiefer Sherwood has been a late bloomer as a player, but it's his effort level that has earned the trust that he's more than someone getting good luck, and has proveb he's capable of being a legitimate useful player.

To understand Sherwood's commitment level is to understand his story. A largely ignored player in Juniors, Sherwood went undrafted as a prospect and in the USHL wasn't a marquee prospect for a lack of offensive production.

Sherwood showed his offensive potential, along with his intensity at both ends, in college hockey for the University of Miami (OH) Redhawks, and earning an NHL contract with the Anaheim Ducks.

Even in the NHL there was a waiting game for Sherwood to deliver at his best. It took until he was 28 to emerge as a full-time NHLer, becoming one of the league's most tenacious players who provided consistent energy, while also being a top hitter in the league.

While his early start may have been the result of some good luck, and some legitimate ice for the first time in his career, Sherwood has been a player who has proven he will do everything to overcome his shortcomings and become an NHLer, and someone will value that highly.

At worse, a team will get a reliable depth player, and one that even if not lighting up the scoresheet would a team be wise not to let slip away.