Canucks Fan-Favourite Changes Agents Unexpectedly: Could Kyle Dubas Pull Off a Trade?

Yesterday, Vancouver-based reporter Rick Dhaliwal announced that Canucks forward Kiefer Sherwood has switched agencies to Wasserman Hockey.

This move comes with one year left on Sherwood's current deal, and with being an impending unrestricted free agent, Sherwood is due for a massive pay raise.

With Sherwood changing agents, it is a sign that he was not happy with where discussions were going with the Canucks. Coming off a career year, the Columbus, Ohio native scored 19 goals and 40 points in 78 games: incredible numbers for a middle-six forward who can lay the body unlike any other. Sherwood did this in a season where he landed 462 hits, dwarfing the previous record of 383.

Currently, there is not much trade chatter around Sherwood, which means if GM Kyle Dubas approaches the Canucks brass with a deal they feel is fair, he could beat out any form of bidding war. Additionally, landing Sherwood early would allow the Penguins an opportunity to pitch to him why he should stay around in black and gold for the foreseeable future.

Currently, Sherwood is a pending UFA. As it stands, there is much uncertainty about what will happen with the Penguins' roster moving forward. However, Sherwood could find himself becoming a key asset that Kyle Dubas signs to a lengthy multi-year deal to provide more stability up front for the Penguins as they transition through their rebuild.

The Penguins need to become more physical. Bringing in the NHL's hitting machine is one way the Penguins could become a tougher team to play against. With him changing agents, the opportunity for Kyle Dubas to strike has never been better.