In a significant move for the San Jose Sharks, forward Kiefer Sherwood is set to make his debut on Wednesday against the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche. This game marks the final outing for both teams before the upcoming Olympic break.
Sherwood, who has been recovering from an upper body injury, participated fully in a 45-minute practice session held in Chicago on Tuesday. He skated on the Sharks’ top line alongside teammates Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith, a trio that Sharks’ management hopes can help turn around the team’s fortunes. The Sharks enter this matchup on a three-game losing streak, making Sherwood’s debut all the more crucial.
Expectations for Sherwood’s Impact
During a press engagement, Sherwood expressed enthusiasm about joining the roster. “Those guys are world-class players. Their magic speaks for itself,” he said, referring to Celebrini and Smith. “I’ll try to play to their strengths, win some pucks back, create some space for them, and just get them the puck.” His proactive approach aims to maximize the offensive potential of his new line.
To accommodate Sherwood on the 23-man roster, the Sharks placed forward Ryan Reaves on injured reserve. Reaves is currently day-to-day with his own upper-body issue, adding another layer of urgency to Sherwood’s arrival as the team pushes for a playoff spot.
With a record of 17 goals in 44 games this season, Sherwood is anticipated to be a valuable asset for the Sharks, who trail the Seattle Kraken by three points for the Western Conference’s second and final wild card position. “I’ve been itching for a long time once I found out about the trade,” he shared after practice. “So I’m just excited to get to know the guys, play with them, and build something special here.”
As the Sharks prepare for this crucial encounter, all eyes will be on Sherwood to see how he integrates with Celebrini and Smith, and whether they can help the team break their losing streak against a formidable opponent.