Mailbag: Player worth trading for?

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Thanks for the question, Sam!

Over the last few seasons, Kiefer Sherwood has proven himself to be a relatively productive, versatile, physical, and high energy player that would add value to any lineup.

After recording just 7 goals, 11 assists, and 18 points in his first 87 games in the NHL from 2018-2019 to 2021-2022 with Anaheim, and Colorado - he has since collected 49 goals, 48 assists, and 97 points in 211 games with Nashville and Vancouver from 2022-2023 through present day.

Sherwood is effectively a half a point per game player at this stage in his career, and likely to get a bump in pay from his current $3M cap hit when he becomes a UFA at the end of the season.

So what does this all mean in terms of the Bruins and if Sherwood is worth trading for?

Well, it depends.

What is the cost to acquire Sherwood, and would there be an extension in place?

In my opinion, if part of the cost to acquire Sherwood is a 1st round draft pick then i'm out - even if he were to sign an extension in Boston.

At 30 years old, he's entering the back half of his career, and a drop off in production could very well be the case as time goes on.

The Bruins have five 1st round draft picks over the next three years - all of their own, plus Toronto's in 2026 (top-five protected and would currently be 13th overall), and Florida's in 2027.

Boston should draft with every one of those picks.

The only way in which they should even entertain trading one of those 1st round picks is if a no-brainer, high end player with term becomes available for one reason or another.

And even then, there's probably not a single player around the league right now (in risk of being traded this season) that would be worth Boston giving up one of their 2026 picks.

Maybe one of their picks in 2027, or 2028 could be moved if a player is truly worth trading for and on term.

Back to Sherwood.

Here's a package that could make sense.

To Boston: Kiefer Sherwood (with an extension in place)

To Vancouver: Fabian Lysell, and a 2nd round pick in 2027, or 2028.

Something along those lines could make sense.