NHL analyst suggests Miles Wood could be a good fit for Maple Leafs

The Athletic's Kevin Papetti has suggested one potential option for the Leafs left side is Colorado Avalanche forward Miles Wood, who has four years remaining on his current contract, which pays him $2.5 million per season. It's an interesting thought as the Avs will face an overabundance of forwards once Gabriel Landeskog (injury) and Valeri Nichushkin (suspension) return.

Landeskog is tracking to return to the Avs lineup sometime near the start of the season after having missed two seasons due to a knee injury, while Nichushkin is eligible to return in November after a league-imposed suspension and placement in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.

Assuming both players return to the Avs, that might leave Wood as the odd man out, forcing the Avs to seek a trading partner for the feisty winger. One such trade partner could be the Leafs, who are thin at left wing.

The Leafs could look at dealing the disgruntled Robertson, or perhaps dealing other assets in a bid to acquire Wood, who had nine goals and 26 points in 74 games with the Avs last season. Wood plays the gritty style that new Leafs coach Craig Berube and general manager Brad Treliving both favour and his insertion into the Leafs lineup would certainly make them a tougher team to play against and replace some of the tenacity that left town with Bertuzzi.

The question is, with the Leafs already nudging close to the league's salary cap, could they make room for Wood's salary? Only time will tell.

Source: HockeyDB
Miles Wood Statistics