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Oilers 2026 trade deadline target: Kiefer Sherwood

Originally posted on Oilersnation | By Ryley Delaney | Last updated Mar 1, 2026 7:00 PM ET

The San Jose Sharks have started to slip in the standings.

Despite a 5-4 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday afternoon, the Sharks are starting to slip in the standings. As of Sunday morning, they sit five points out of a playoff spot, losing five of their last six games.

Earlier this season, when the Sharks were still in a playoff spot, they sent two seconds and Cole Clayton to the Vancouver Canucks for Kiefer Sherwood. Well, on Thursday, The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported that the Sharks are open to flipping the hard-hitting winger.

With that being said, let’s take a look if Sherwood is a fit for the Oilers, his cap hit, and his potential cost of acquisition ahead of the March 6th trade deadline.

Kiefer Sherwood’s fit

Last season, Sherwood landed a National Hockey League record 460 hits. His play style hasn’t changed at all, as his 222 hits are second to Yakov Trenin’s 297 hits, but Sherwood has played 13 fewer games. One area whereOilers are lacking is physicality, so he’s already a fit for their middle six.

But when you add the fact that he’ll almost certainly reach the 20-goal mark for the first time in his career, he may be the perfect fit for the Oilers. Last season with the Canucks, he scored 19 goals and 40 points in 78 games, so it’s not just a fluke season for a soon-to-be free agent.

Of course, the Oilers’ biggest need is a defenceman who can play on the right side with Darnell Nurse, with the team being linked to Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Justin Faulk in recent times. That said, they could use some attitude, and Sherwood would bring that.

Kiefer Sherwood’s cap hit

If you’ve read any of these articles, you know the drill when it comes to the Oilers’ cap situation. Right now, they have $10,508 in cap space, with it rising to $12,009 at the March 6th trade deadline. Any move that they make would require cap to be moved out, and Andrew Magiapane, with his $3.6 million cap hi,t appears to be the most likely candidate.

However, Sherwood is on an affordable contract, as he earns just $1.5 million until the end of the 2025-26 season. He’s due for a big raise, an extension that the Oilers may not be able to offer him. They can easily absorb his cap hit whenever they move Mangiapane. Additionally, the Sharks can retain 50% of his salary, meaning they can get him at what is a league minimum contract.

But what about his cost?

Kiefer Sherwood’s cost of acquisition

Less than two months ago, the Sharks sent their 2026 and 2027 second-round picks and a prospect to the Canucks for Sherwood’s services. Since the trade, he’s played just three games, where he’s been held pointless with six penalty minutes.

It stands to reason that the Sharks will look for a similar package if they choose to trade him, or potentially even get a first-round pick. The Oilers have their 2027 first, as well as their second-round pick in the next two drafts, so it can be done if that’s what the Sharks are looking for. If they wish for the Sharks to retain, expect them to pay extra.