The Colorado Avalanche found their guy on the first day of free agency. But little did Miles Wood know, he had been on the general manager Chris MacFarland’s radar for quite some time.
Just hearing that gave the 27-year-old forward a boost of confidence, starting his tenure in Colorado off on a positive note.
Drafted in the fourth round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, the Buffalo, New York, native spent the first eight seasons of his career with the New Jersey Devils before signing a lucrative, six-year contract with the Avs on Saturday.
With the salary cap expected to take a sizeable increase next year, teams in the NHL generally signed players to one- or two-year deals, giving them the flexibility to test the market again following the 2023–24 season.
Wood was one of the few players who received a long-term deal.
“That was my goal coming into free agency was trying to get term,” he said during a media call on Monday. “I was fortunate enough to get that. This free agency, a lot of one- and two-year deals were handed out, so I feel very fortunate that I got a six-year deal.”
Prior to the start of free agency, Avalanche President of Hockey Operations Joe Sakic made it abundantly clear what he was looking for to help his team out: Grit.
Wood brings a unique combination of speed and toughness, registering at least 100 hits in two of the last four seasons. On the surface, it seems like a perfect marriage.
“From the start, Colorado was always a team that I would love to play for,” Wood said. “It just feels like Colorado is a perfect spot for me.”
Primarily limited to a fourth-line role to this point in his career, Wood has registered at least 23 points in six of his first eight seasons, with a career-high 32 points coming back in the 2017–18 season.
He brings a strong net-front presence, something the Avalanche needed to add this offseason. And while he is likely to remain in a bottom-six role, Wood still expects to be a significant contributor.
If the season were to start today, he could conceivably play on a line with the newly acquired Ross Colton and Logan O’Connor, giving Colorado one of the most physical lines in the NHL and a nightmare for opposing teams.
However, there is no question that Wood’s speed will be his most translatable skill to an Avalanche squad that likes to play fast.
He played in a similar system with the Devils, so the transition is expected to be seamless.
“That was our structure in New Jersey as well,” Wood said. “We were a fast transition game. We were a fast team. I know the Avs have a lot of speed too, so hopefully I can fit right in there and the transition won’t be that hard.”
Wood was limited to just three games in 2021–22 after undergoing hip surgery, but returned to form last year, scoring 27 points (13 goals, 14 assists) in 76 games while averaging 12:06 time on ice and recording the second-most shots on goal (167) in his career.
Wood’s lingering hip issues are no longer.
“I missed six games last year, and they had nothing to do with the hip,” Wood said. “I think that was a great sign. I have a brand new hip in a sense. I’m ready to go and no problems in that department.”
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