Miles Wood’s mini holdout is over. The 23-year-old forward today re-signed with the Devils, inking a four-year contract with an annual average value of $2,750,000. He will make $2,500,000 in 2018-19, $2,500,000 in the 2019-20 season, $2,500,000 again in 2020-21 and $3,500,000 in 2021-22. He will now report to the team for practice Sunday morning according to the Devils’ press release.
Devils GM Ray Shero said: “We are excited to have Miles under contract for the next four years. With his style of play, he’s a big part of what we are collectively building here in New Jersey, now and in the future.”
The press release noted that Wood set several career highs in 2017-18. Those include games played (76), goals (19), assists (13), total points (32), shots (170) and power play goals (three). The release also said that both his goal and shot totals were fourth on the team. He also had the lone Devils hat trick of last season (November 12 at Chicago) when he notched two power play goals and an even strength goal in addition to having an assist in the Devils’ come-from-behind win.
He has led the team in penalty minutes for the last two seasons (84 in 2017-18 and 86 in 2016-17) and played in his 100th game this past season January 4 at Dallas.
The 6-foot, 2-inch, 195-pound son of former NHLer Randy Wood (who played with the Islanders, Buffalo, Toronto and Dallas over his career), was born September 13, 1995 in Buffalo. He played high school hockey at Noble & Greenough School in Massachusetts before a career at Boston College. He has represented the USA at the 2015 World Juniors and the 2016 World Championships.
He was drafted by the Devils 100th overall in 2013 (fourth round) and was originally signed by the team on April 8, 2016 before making his debut the following night at Prudential Center against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He appeared in his first ever Stanley Cup Playoff games this past spring against Tampa Bay.