Miles Wood

Fresh of a 2021-22 campaign in which he was limited to just three games, Wood appeared in 76 of New Jersey's 82 games a season ago, although he was also a healthy scratch for four straight games in their first round playoff series against the Rangers. His offensive numbers -- 13 goals, 27 points, 167 shots on goal, 100 hits -- were right in line with what we have seen from Wood in the past. Clearly enamored with his game, the Avalanche, one of the best-run organizations in the league, handed Wood a six-year, $15 million deal in free agency this summer. The length of the commitment suggests the club has high hopes for Wood, but he's still unlikely to generate any fantasy value this coming year.

Wood was limited to just three games a season ago due to multiple ailments, most notably a hip injury which required surgery. In the four years prior, Wood proved to be a serviceable bottom-six option for the Devils, posting no fewer than 10 goals and 23 points in any of those campaigns. Wood should also be good for well over 100 hits over the course of a full 82-game season, although there isn't enough production here in any one category to make the Buffalo native a legitimate fantasy option in any format.

Wood has reached the double-digit goal mark in each of the past four seasons, with the 17 he posted in 2020-21 representing the second-highest mark of his career. The winger saw a significant increase in power-play time in 2020-21, averaging 1:53 per game compared to just 47 seconds during the previous campaign. One can't help but wonder if Wood's increased role coincided with the fact the Devils were never truly in the playoff race. It would be surprising to see Wood get that type of run again early this coming year. The 25-year-old winger has established himself as a solid depth option who can be counted on for about a dozen goals and 100 hits, but that's about it. He can be ignored in all but the deepest of fantasy leagues.

Wood showed great promise as a budding young power forward with 19 goals in 2017-18, but he hasn't been able to replicate that success, totaling just 21 goals over the two subsequent seasons. Fantasy managers relying on Wood for PIM were also disappointed with his output last year, as he dropped to 57 PIM following three consecutive seasons with at least 84. The 25-year-old Buffalo native has settled into a bottom-six role on a bad Devils team and didn't play on the power play last year, so the luster has come off Wood as a fantasy sleeper.

Wood held out for a new contract prior to last season and his late arrival at camp showed in his game, as the power forward finished with just 10 goals and 24 points after potting 19 goals en route to 32 points in the previous campaign. He's still an excellent source of PIM -- totaling between 84 and 91 in each of the past three seasons -- so Wood has some nice sleeper potential if he can rediscover his offensive game. Doing so will likely require a move up in the lineup, as Wood's opportunities will be limited if he remains in a bottom-six role.

Wood's physical style makes him a great option in formats that reward trips to the sin bin. He's topped 80 PIM in each of his two full NHL campaigns and is a threat to crack the 20-goal mark coming off a 19-tally age-22 campaign. On the other hand, the Buffalo native's minus-27 career rating suggests he has some work to do on the defensive side, and Wood's not much of a setup man. He can raise his offensive ceiling by locking down a bigger role on the power play, but Wood's contributions will ultimately be limited to a few categories.

Wood showed some promise in his rookie season last year, potting eight goals and dishing out nine helpers in 60 games. His minus-21 rating suggests improvement is necessary in his own zone, but most young players go through growing pains in that regard. The Buffalo native will almost certainly crack New Jersey’s roster once again this season, likely in a third-line role. That could be enough to warrant late-round fantasy consideration in formats that count PIM, as Wood racked up 86 in last year’s stint with the team.