I just go by the opinions of hardcore Devils fans that I am friends with, as well as what a couple friends who work in the hockey analytics industry tell me. People who watch a lot of Miles Wood hockey. A lot.
To each his own. I like to form my own opinions. Most people here said Kovalchuk was toast. I watched him, I said he's still fast, he still makes plays, we should take a flyer... nobody bought it. When we played them the other night I thought he was their most dangerous offensive player. Now they want a 2nd round pick for him.
Wood has elite speed, and the hands to pull off some spectacular solo goals. He's a bit like Kuraly in that he doesn't involve his linemates much, but his linemates are garbage right now. I agree that he's not the most active hitter, but still a 100 hit guy, and perhaps more importantly, he is strong on his skates and hard to knock off the puck. I think he'd be a nice, speedy fit next to Coyle and Bjork, and I like that he's young enough to still have upside. Guys like Tuch and Anderson (before the injury) are impossible to acquire once they break out. Here we have a chance to get a 24 year old power forward with a 19 goal season. If he gets to the next level it's like found money, and if he doesn't, he's producing at a good clip right now, averaging 30 points per 82. That's about all you can expect from middle6 forwards who don't get PP time. Heck, Palmieri only averages 31 even strength points. Wood would be a solid add with upside, IMO.
