Avs' cap problems could help the Toronto Maple Leafs land a highly competitive left winger
The Colorado Avalanche are facing very tight cap constraints which could help the Maple Leafs to acquire Miles Wood for a very reasonable price.
Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog has missed the past two seasons due to a knee injury that has required multiple surgeries. In addition to being without Landeskog for the past two seasons, Valeri Nichushkin entered the NHLPA player assistance program during the playoffs and we have yet to hear any official updates on his progress or his status for this season.
The Avalanche have been able to use Landeskog's $7M cap hit to their advantage, but with Landeskog set to return this season, the Avs will have to make some roster moves to free up an additional $5M in cap space to fit his salary under the cap in addition to the eventual return of Nichushkin and his $6.1M cap hit. That's $11M in cap space the Avalanche have to free up and with Landeskog returning to the left wing, there is a log jam for the Avs.
With 4 years remaining at a reasonable cap hit of $2.5M for other teams, one of the most likely candidates to be dealt is Miles Wood, as The Athletic's Kevin Papetti points out below. The 28-year-old signed a 6-year deal with Colorado last off-season. Wood had 9 goals and 28 points in 74 games last season and would add the necessary depth to the left side that the Maple Leafs are reportedly looking for with the absence of Tyler Bertuzzi and Nick Robertson still holding out for a trade.
Known for his physicality and speed, Wood, a 6'2, 195-pound Buffalo native, would not only add some sandpaper to replace Bertuzzi, but would add a needed penalty killer to the forward group. The Leafs would have to move a body to accommodate Wood's salary as they only have $1.275M in cap space, but it would give them more certainty in the forward group long-term and add a veteran presence on the left side to help Matthew Knies and Bobby McMann.
Source: Hockey Reference
Miles Wood Stats
| POLL | ||
AOUT 28 | 613 ANSWERS Avs' cap problems could help the Toronto Maple Leafs land a highly competitive left winger Is Miles Wood a good fit for the Leafs? | ||
| Yes | 237 | 38.7 % |
| No | 105 | 17.1 % |
| I don't know much about him | 271 | 44.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
