Quoting: Newgod77
What exactly does this player do well
Big, fast, physical, can shoot
Produces offense mostly on shot volume. Is heavy on forecheck. Was the fastest straight-line skater on Devils for years. Is great at stretching the ice. Plays physical, can play role of being a pest, fights if needed, plays in dirty areas. At his worst, he can take a few too many bad penalties and slump due to fewer chances. At his best, can take over any shift.
He had a major hip injury that required surgery in October 2021 and he sat out 2021-22 (he came back at end of season for a few games). They said it would take six months to recover, probably another year to fully get his legs back. In 2022-23, he started off slow. Didn’t seem to have that top gear. But we started to see the usually Wood at end of year and in playoffs a bit.
(Also, a really intelligent guy…got into Brown and Princeton…and often is nominated as team rep on labor issues and other matters).
I thought he would have been someone for a 1-year ‘prove it’ deal…then cash in long term next summer. But at $2.5m it is good value for Avs.
Great candidate for a rebound. Expect 15-20 goals and a physical mixer-upper in bottom-six.
Good signing