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Sherwood, who plays with pace, bite and resiliency, should be a good fit, while other signings bolster roster depth
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Published Jul 01, 2024 • Last updated 11 hours ago • 3 minute read
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Kiefer Sherwood of the Predators checks Tyler Myers of the Canucks during Game 1 of the first-round NHL playoff series on April 21 at Rogers Arena. Photo by Derek Cain /Getty Images
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Kiefer Sherwood didn’t need a Cole’s Notes guide to get a grip on the Vancouver Canucks.
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He lived it this season in a first-round NHL playoff series with the Nashville Predators where things often went bump in the night — which played to his strengths. The feisty forward obviously made the right impression.
Sherwood, 29, was signed Monday to two years with an annual US$1.5 million salary cap hit. He’s good on the forecheck and plays with an edge — third in Predator hits this season with 234 hits — and is a good addition with the free-agency departure of Sam Lafferty.
Sherwood also added a career high 27 points (10-17) in 68 games.
And judging by the manner in which Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet demands that his team plays with pace, bite and resiliency, it should be a good fit.
“I got a little close up in the playoffs and that’s what’s excited me to be part of this group because there are a lot of special things brewing,” said Sherwood, who is making his fourth league stop. “I definitely want to be a part of it.
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“I try to play my game and be hard to play against and use the physicality to create time and space and also use my shot. Energy is a big word in my identity. I want to show up and earn my stripes because I have a lot of respect for guys in that room and they made it such a hard series.”
Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin got an acquisition thumbs up from his captain, who found out how the Predators targeted the defence and especially him.
“I talked to Quinn (Hughes) and he was more excited about Sherwood than anyone because he pissed the whole team off in the playoffs by playing hard,” said Allvin.
Danton Heinen scores against new teammate Thatcher Demko in February. Photo by Rich Gagnon /Getty Images
The Canucks also added Langley native Danton Heinen, 28, on a two-year deal with an annual value of $2.23 million. The versatile winger has strong puck skills, can prop up the penalty kill and play up and down the lineup. He could see time with J.T. Miller and so could Pius Suter.
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“I felt especially in the playoffs that we didn’t have enough options for the coaches to move players around,” said Allvin. “Danton and Pius and very capable of playing different positions.”
Heinen had 36 points (17-19) with the Boston Bruins this season and has been on the Canucks’ radar in past years because of his two-way game. And he also took a hometown discount to play in a place where the game really matters.
“Growing up here, it’s obviously a place I wanted to play,” said Heinen. “It means a lot playing closer to home and a passionate fan base is something you want. I just want be another cog in the wheel and just be me and pull on the chain.”
Derek Forbort (29) is a hard-nosed penalty killer whose game is predicated on defending down low. Photo by Adrian Wyld /The Canadian Press
The Canucks also added big depth defenceman Derek Forbort, 32, on a one-year contract worth $1.5 million. The 6-foot-4, 216 pound defender had four assists in 35 games with the Bruins the season.
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“Joining a team that has a chance to win was the first thing I was looking for,” said Forbort, who is making his fifth NHL stop and whose game is predicated on defending down low. “I’m a hard-nosed penalty killer and it’s a good fit because it’s a style I like to play.”
The Canucks then committed to big defender Vincent Desharnais, 28, who got a two-year deal at $2 million in average value. The 6-foot-7, 226 pound blueliner had 11 points (1-10) with the Edmonton Oilers this season.
In a search for goaltending depth, the Canucks signed Jiri Patera, 25, to a two-year, two-way contract. The 6-foot-3, 212 pound stopper split this season between the Vegas Golden Knights and their AHL affiliate. He went 1-3-1 in the NHL with a 3.98 goals-against average and was 11-10-4 in the AHL with a 2.99 GAA.
The Canucks also added depth centre Nate Smith, 25, on a one-year, two-way contract. He played 60 AHL games in Tucson this season and had 31 points (12-19) in 60 games.
bkuzma@postmedia.com
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Courtesy : https://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/nhl-free-agency-canucks-sign-kiefer-sherwood-danton-heinen-derek-forbort-desharnais