Maple Leafs Make Announcement on 12-Year NHL Veteran

The Toronto Maple Leafs have recalled forward Miles Wood from the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies, according to a team announcement.

The move comes roughly a week and a half after the club acquired the 31-year-old winger as part of the blockbuster swap that sent Matthew Knies to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Kirill Marchenko.

Wood arrived in that deal primarily as a salary offset, and the Leafs are now turning to him for depth as they navigate an early-season road trip.

Wood is in the fourth year of a six-year, $15 million contract that carries a $2.5 million annual average value. He signed the deal with the Colorado Avalanche ahead of the 2023-24 season.

While the cap hit itself is manageable, the remaining term has already proven burdensome for multiple organizations. After spending eight seasons with the New Jersey Devils, Wood’s first year in Colorado went reasonably well.

Tasked with stabilizing the Avalanche’s bottom six, he posted nine goals and 26 points in 74 games while averaging nearly 14 minutes of ice time.

Injuries then intervened. In 2024-25, upper-body and back issues limited him to 37 games, during which he managed only four goals and eight points.

The Avalanche, facing financial constraints, dealt Wood and Charlie Coyle to Columbus that summer for Gavin Brindley and two draft picks.

Availability remained an issue in Ohio; Wood finished last season with eight goals and 14 points in 54 games and a minus-10 rating.

He has yet to appear in a game for the Marlies this year after clearing waivers in late September, meaning the Leafs can return him to the AHL without further procedural hurdles.

For now, Wood is expected to help round out Toronto’s bottom six.

The organization can shift Brandon Duhaime to the right wing and insert Wood on the left side, giving the coaching staff additional flexibility with its forward group during the current three-game road swing.

Wood is scheduled to meet the team in Denver ahead of Saturday’s contest against the Avalanche.

Whether he draws into the lineup or simply provides an insurance option will depend on how the Leafs evaluate their depth following Thursday’s shootout loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.

At a minimum, his speed and experience as a physical bottom-six contributor offer a different look as the club continues searching for the right mix on its fourth line.