Oilers' scouts attending Vancouver Canucks games for potential trade target

When the Canucks traded away their MVP and Captain Quinn Hughes to the Wild on December 12, they announced that they were open for business.

Reports out of Vancouver suggest the most likely to go next is forward Kiefer Sherwood, who's on pace for a career-year. Over 36 games, he's posted 16G and 20 points.

Yet, it's not necessarily secondary scoring the undrafted winger brings to the table, but a level of physicality and high-energy the Oilers can definitely use in their playoff lineup.

Sherwood is known for his grit, speed, and tenacity on the forecheck and is a difficult player for opponents to play against. In fact, he set a single-season league record with 462 hits last season and is second in the NHL this year with over 140.

His value to Edmonton cannot be overstated in terms of his on-ice contribution. But he also comes at an extremely affordable $1.5M cap hit. It's a deal that is begging to be made, in particular given the Oilers' struggles from heir bottom-6 forwards.

Kiefer's aggressive forechecking style forces turnovers and helps his team regain puck possession. Add to that his ability to play various roles on both special teams, he can easily move up the roster when needed.

Vancouver will likely be asking for either a prospect, or 1st-round pick. Given Edmonton's window to win a Stanley Cup now, moving a prospect from Bakersfield is not entirely out of the question.

The Oilers are playing like they mean business, with McDavid leading them to the top of the Pacific, while gearing-up for the playoffs.

The Canucks, on the other hand, sit last in the Pacific; expect Kiefer Sherwood to be dealt before the trade-deadline.