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Insider suggests the Red Wings should pursue Canucks forward, not Quinn Hughes
Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
The Detroit Red Wings should add this Vancouver Canucks depth forward over defenseman Quinn Hughes, according to one NHL insider.
The Detroit Red Wings are in need of additional depth scoring due to a lack of production from their bottom six as of late.
Kiefer Sherwood of the Vancouver Canucks is now suggested to be on general manager Steve Yzerman's radar.
This is according to The Hockey News' Adam Proteau, who comes at the Red Wings' lineup issues from another perspective.
While the Red Wings could utilize Quinn Hughes right away on the blue line, they could also find a spot in the lineup for a former 40-point forward like Sherwood.
Sherwood would add more depth to the lineup, which it's lacking. The reliable scoring from players other than its top scorers has dried up.
Other than top forwards like Alex DeBrincat (29 points, 14-15), Dylan Larkin (31 points, 15-16), and Lucas Raymond 31 points, 10-21), there's a drop-off in production.
Only three other forwards come close but not within distances of the top three in the lineup with 10 points or more: Andrew Copp (11 points), Patrick Kane (18 points), and Emmitt Finnie (13 points).
The team needs more from the rest of its forward core.
In 28 games this season, the Columbus, Ohio-born forward has scored 16 points (12-4) and has played a top-six role in the Canucks lineup this season.
What would it cost for the Detroit Red Wings to acquire forward Kiefer Sherwood from the Vancouver Canucks?
With $16.5 million in salary cap space, the Red Wings could aim for the fences with an acquisition of former Michigan Wolverine Quinn Hughes, which might cost a pretty penny, or they could pursue a trade for Kiefer Sherwood at a much more efficient cost.
Sherwood is in the last year of his 2-year, $3.0 million contract, which pays him a $1.5 million average annual value (AAV). The pending unrestricted free agent could find a new home in an appreciative Detroit team that loves a power forward like Sherwood.
The team has three first-round picks and two second-round picks in the future available to spend, and they could find the Canucks forward an impact player in the Red Wings' lineup, which is missing some snarl.
In 2024-25, the Columbus-born Canuck added 462 hits to his bucket and could be a threat on the ice as someone unafraid of throwing the body when needed.
He can be had for a price, and as a middle-six forward, would be worth it.
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