The Avalanche continued to shore up their depth on Saturday, signing forward Mile Wood to a six-year deal worth $2.5 million per season.
The 27-year-old, who was drafted in 2013, had 13 goals and 14 assists with the New Jersey Devils last season. Known for his speed and grit, Wood has collected 78 career goals in 402 games. He also has 476 PIMs. In 2022-23, Wood was on a one-year deal worth $3.25 million.
Giving Wood a lengthy six-year term was perhaps vital in lowering the average annual value. It is tied for the second-longest contract handed out on the first day of free agency.
Forward Jonathan Drouin also received a deal from the Avs, signing for one year at $825,000. Drouin, also part of the 2013 draft class, was taken No. 4 overall, three spots behind Nathan MacKinnon. Drouin had two goals and 29 points in 58 games last year with Montreal.
Prior to turning pro, Drouin was teammates with Nathan MacKinnon for the Halifax Mooseheads in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League from 2011-13. He also spent the 2013-14 season in juniors before making his professional debut. Drouin had 77 goals and 242 points in 128 games with Halifax.
Wood and Drouin join Ross Colton and Ryan Johansen as the latest forward additions in Colorado, which has spent the past week rebuilding its forward depth. The Avs also traded Alex Newhook to Montreal and saw several others sign elsewhere. Center J.T. Compher nabbed a five-year deal worth $5.1 million AAV with Detroit, while Lars Eller (2 years, $2.45 million AAV), and Matt Nieto (2 years, $900,000 AAV) both joined the Pittsburgh Penguins.
