Why Predators' 'Energy Bug' Kiefer Sherwood Deserves a Contract Extension

The Nashville Predators gained a point in an overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday to clinch a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Plenty of moments and storylines from the game have gotten their due – the Predators' late comeback, Spencer Stastney's second NHL goal, Ryan O'Reilly's clutch equalizer, Roman Josi's two-point night – but perhaps one of the game's biggest unsung heroes was fourth-line winger Kiefer Sherwood.

Related: Predators Clinch Playoff Berth by Gaining Point Against Jets

The Predators took an early lead at 4:05 of the first period when Sherwood forced a turnover in the neutral zone and fed the puck to Tommy Novak. Novak then shifted the puck from backhand to forehand around Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and put it in at the left post to put Nashville up 1-0.

The Predators found themselves down 3-1 at the start of the third period, but Sherwood kickstarted a late comeback that led them to send the game to overtime. Just over seven minutes into the period, Sherwood raced Neal Pionk for a loose puck and successfully knocked the Jets defenseman off the puck in the offensive zone. Sherwood fed the puck to Roman Josi, whose centering pass was deflected by Stastney up in the air and into the back of the net to cut the Predators' deficit to 3-2.

His two helpers against Winnipeg illustrated the role Sherwood fills so well on this team – a wrecking ball; a pest; a workhorse; a playmaker. But that hasn't always been his identity. In fact, until very recently, Sherwood was known primarily as a volume goal scorer.

"He's been part of our identity... and he has the ability to make plays," Predators head coach Andrew Brunette said. "He's been a scorer his whole life, and you've got to give him a lot of credit to play the way he's playing. Not everybody can score all the time at this level. But if you're able to find another asset in your game like he has – now, he's our energy bug, he finishes checks, and he's a relentless player."

At the AHL level , Sherwood produced at nearly a point-per-game pace, recording 172 points (92 goals, 80 assists) in 186 games with the San Diego Gulls, Colorado Eagles and Milwaukee Admirals from 2017-23. In his first stint with Colorado in 2020-21, he scored 10 goals in 10 games.

In 2021-22, Sherwood was named to the AHL's Second All-Star Team after leading Colorado and finishing fifth in the league in points with a career-high 75 (36 goals, 39 assists); his 36 goals were also a career high and the third-most in the AHL.

A native of Columbus, Ohio, Sherwood played three seasons at Miami University (2015-18) prior to turning pro and also spent time with the USHL's Youngstown Phantoms and USA Hockey's National Team Development Program alongside current Predators linemate Michael McCarron.

Related: How Michael McCarron Lit a Fire Under Predators in Playoff-Clinching Contest

Undrafted, Sherwood has now played in 184 career NHL games – 60 with the Anaheim Ducks, 27 with the Colorado Avalanche and 97 with the Predators. He has 57 points (23 goals, 24 assists) in his 184-game NHL career, a marked decline from his production rate in the AHL. However, his work ethic, adaptability and team-first mentality are what have given him staying power at the NHL level.

"A lot of the guys in that position that scored their whole life and scored in the American League, they come [to the NHL] and if they don't score, they go away," Brunette said. "He probably didn't score, but he stayed with it, and he's carved out a really good role here on our team, and he's been a real driving force here down the stretch for us."

Currently on a one-year, $775,000 contract that expires at the end of the 2023-24 campaign, Sherwood has already set new NHL career highs this season in goals (9), assists (17), points (26) and games played (65). His play this season, not to mention his contributions to shaping the Predators' "identity," have certainly warranted another contract extension beyond 2024, and general manager Barry Trotz and company should be making every effort to get him locked down before he has a chance to test the waters in free agency.