The New Jersey Devils and Miles Wood are no closer to a contract extension now than they were a week ago. Or two. Perhaps close to three.
Both sides are in agreement a bridge deal – almost certainly two years – is the way to go but they're clearly not seeing eye-to-eye on the dollar amount.
I'm told there has been zero recent dialogue to close said gap. None. Notta.
It'd have been reasonable to think things would pick up once training camp got underway but that hasn't been the case. There have been no talks and, thus, no progress. It's just a good old-fashioned stalemate with both parties hoping the other blinks first.
This is pure speculation on my part but I would guess Wood is looking for something in the $2.4/2.5 range (a little below Ondrej Kase, who recorded 20 goals/38 points last season) while the Devils probably want that number closer to $2 million. Maybe even a little lower.
I'm not comparing these two players – they're much different – but Sam Reinhart was in the same contract situation as Wood and just signed a bridge. Following a 50 point season, he was given $3.65 million, which equates to $73,000 per point.
If Wood were to be paid on the same scale, his 32 point campaign would be worth ~$2.33 million annually.
Though I can't say for certain, I think that is closer to the number Wood wants than the number Shero wants. Perhaps that will change things.
Either way, I still expect Wood to be signed and in the lineup October 6th vs Edmonton.
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