New Jersey Devils fans were hopeful they could be seeing Miles Wood playing for the team soon. The Devils put cold water on that hope on Tuesday.
While the New Jersey Devils took another extended break because of COVID-19 cases, injured forward Miles Wood took the ice for the first time since his hip surgery. It was a welcomed sight. After he was injured with “bumps and bruises” in training camp, he hasn’t played one game this season. However, when fans saw on Instagram he was taking the ice, there was hope he could return soon. That hope was quickly faded.
Ruff on Wood: “He skated on his own. Hopefully next week he’ll start the next step in that process and skate more. He’s still months away from return.” #NJDevils https://t.co/ANM2uGXrwN
— Sam Kasan (@samikasan) January 11, 2022
So, when some thought Wood could be back soon, it appears he is still months away from even considering a return. The Devils might be without Wood for the rest of the season if he suffers a setback while training.
This is a huge year for Wood. He’s been up and down since signing his four-year contract, which ends after this season. He finally hit his stride after working under Lindy Ruff, and many were excited to see what he could do in the second year under this system. He had great chemistry with Michael McLeod, and he hasn’t been here since the Devils claimed Nathan Bastian off waivers.
Wood’s contract situation will be an interesting one. Can the Devils sign him long term after coming off a major hip injury? Does he deserve a raise from the deal he was given by former GM Ray Shero? Wood has had one mediocre season, one bad season, one great season, and one injury-riddled season since signing the deal. Of course, his most-recent results on the ice have been great. What is that worth?
The Devils sorely miss Wood on multiple aspects on the ice. He gave the team an edge they didn’t have at the beginning of the season. Bastian has helped with that edge. He did lead the team in hits last season, but Wood has always been a player who can get in someone’s face while also being a scoring threat at all times. That’s the difference between Mason Geertsen and Miles Wood. Geertsen can give the team an edge, but he hurts them so much on a shift-by-shift basis. Wood brings both aspects to his game.
The Devils still miss Wood in the lineup, and they could be looking to bring him back on a cheaper deal to prove his worth. Wood will likely try to return to the lineup sometime this season to show the league he can still flash some brilliance before he hits free agency. Either way, it was bad news to hear that Wood still has so long in his recovery process.