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What Can New Jersey Devils Reasonably Expect In A Miles Wood Trade

By Nick Villano

MONTREAL, QC - NOVEMBER 28: Miles Wood #44 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL game at the Bell Centre on November 28, 2019 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - NOVEMBER 28: Miles Wood #44 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL game at the Bell Centre on November 28, 2019 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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New reports say that the New Jersey Devils have put forward Miles Wood on the trade block. What is he actually worth in today’s NHL?

The New Jersey Devils are going to sell a lot of assets this season unless a miracle happens. The Devils are now 12 points out of a playoff spot. To get to the 98 points the Columbus Blue Jackets had to get to the playoffs last season, they need to go 35-14-6 for the rest of the season.

With how hard it’s going to be to get back in this, realistically it’s going to be a season where the Devils are sellers from now until the NHL Trade Deadline. While we all think Taylor Hall is going to be the first piece to fall, new reports show that speedster Miles Wood might be the first piece to go.

What can we actually expect from Wood? He has some serious issues staying out of the box, but he still has major upside with the skills he possesses, and with the right coach he can eventually be a 20-goal scorer. The problem is right now he’s not showing that potential. That 19-goal season seems further and further in the rear-view mirror with every offensive-zone penalty.

Many fans are actually happy that Wood might be on his way out. This writer is not one of those people, but we understand the sentiment. Wood is the most frustrating player on the roster. There are times where he skates up the ice like he’s on fire, but then immediately throws a puck at the goalie when nobody is there to get a rebound. Then, in the same shift, he takes a penalty.

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So, what can the Devils expect other teams to give up in exchange for Wood? He’s still a productive player in the right situation. Teams are going to see the things that he does and believe they can make him a star.

He’s signed on for two more seasons after this one at $2.75 million per year. That’s an overpayment, but not really that big of one. The Devils can cover $750,000 and that’s a perfect contract for him.

If Wood is getting traded, it’s probably eventually going to be one of two scenarios. It could be to a team looking for a spark on the bottom line for a draft pick. A team would absolutely give up a 4th-round pick for Wood. Some teams would be willing to give up a 3rd-round pick. We could see the Devils ask for a 2nd-round pick, but we’re not sure a team is saying yes to that.

Another situation is that Wood is an add in for other teams on a bigger trade. Maybe Wood goes somewhere in a Taylor Hall deal, or another larger trade. This could add a little value to get teams to upgrade from a 2nd to a 1st-round pick.

The value for Wood is not the same for a normal 24 year old with four full years of experience. It’s way down, but it seems like GM Ray Shero is ready to hold people accountable, starting with Wood. Moving him from the team could give him the fresh start he needs to get his career back.

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