Kiefer Sherwood's Mindset: "Just Trying to Earn One More Day"

Kiefer Sherwood wasn't a name on many people's radar when the Nashville Predators training camp began this season, but the forward began drawing attention during the intrasquad scrimmages with his speed and doggedness. Other better known players headed to Milwaukee when the team returned from the Global Series games in Prague, but Sherwood's play in the opening game - a game in which he scored the first team goal of the season on his first shot in the NHL - earned him a longer stay with the Predators. After that early hot start to the season, the Ohio native's game cooled off. By early November, Sherwood was headed back to the Milwaukee Admirals and wasn't sure what his NHL path might look like in the future. 

Fast forward to late February when Sherwood was recalled after Ryan Johansen's injury in a game against the Vancouver Canucks. In the ten games since his recall, Sherwood has recorded five points, including a goal in each of his last two games. The 27 year old has been a part of the roster through surprising front office and roster changes and a grueling six game, twelve day road trip. He has earned time on a top six line with two of his teammates from Milwaukee - Tommy Novak and Luke Evangelista - and even opportunities on the power play. 

John Hynes appreciates what he has seen from Sherwood this season. 

"One of the reasons he made the team out of camp is what you're seeing in this stint...his speed was a factor in the game. I think you can see how tenacious he is on the puck," Hynes shared. "I think he had an unbelievable training camp. I thought he started the year pretty good, and then it dropped off a little bit and he went down to Milwaukee."

Hynes credits further growth and development of Sherwood's game in Milwaukee as adding value to his role since rejoining the team. 

"From a defensive standpoint, his reads and understanding of the system and how to play when he doesn't have the puck is much more thorough right now," Hynes explained. 

Sherwood agrees that time in Milwaukee helped him earn another chance in Nashville.

"Obviously that first game was nice. But after that I kind of got off track, so I just found myself in Milwaukee. I'm just grateful for all these opportunities honestly."

Playing with Novak and Evangelista has highlighted what Sherwood brings to the game, according to Hynes.

"He's got good chemistry with Novak and Evangelista because you've got two playmaking guys that really think the game, and then you have a speed guy that's very tenacious, and he's got good finishing ability."

"Now he's back," Hynes continued, "And that's the guy we think gives us the best chance to win. I think the identity he's playing with now is what's going to give him the best chance to be a full-time NHL player."

Kiefer Sherwood isn't focused on his long term NHL career but instead on what he can do day to day. 

"I just try to put my head down and work and try to take it day by day," he shared. "My mindset has just been trying to earn one more day, to take whatever challenges and opportunities that day provides, and to make the most of it."

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