Over the last few months during his recovery, Wood has primarily skated with Tyce Thompson, who was also working his way back from injury. On March 11, Wood joined the team in a no-contact jersey; however, Monday's practice was his first on-ice activity as a full participant.
"I've only been skating with Thompson for the last three or four months or so," Wood said, "so for me just getting the reads back was something I certainly have to pick up on. I haven't gone down on a 3-on-2 in four months. So just seeing the reads, seeing the ice again is something that will hopefully come back quick."
When Wood was looking at his recovery timeline, the forward had this week circled on the calendar on when he expected to come back to practice.
"I had a pretty good idea for the last month or so that when the guys went out on the (Western Canada) trip that I would look to get back the week after," Wood said. Now that he has returned, Wood feels completely healthy. "The doctors were kind of shocked on how fast I came back as well, so that's a great sign. I don't want to jump the gun too quickly, but I feel great right now."
All of Wood's five NHL season have been with the Devils, for a total of 323 games. Through that time, the winger has 65 goals and 56 assists for a total of 121 points. Last season, Wood played all but one game where he put up 17 goals and had eight assists. Wood, with fellow forward Pavel Zacha, led the Devils in scoring with 17 goals each. This production was one of the qualities the Devils relied on.
"He's got speed that very few players have in the league, he can create his own opportunities. He gets to the net, he's one of our better net-front guys, but his speed really backs off the other team," Ruff said about what Wood brings to the lineup. "I think he's a guy that the players in the room respect."
Last season, Wood became a bigger part of the leadership group, and helped push his teammates in every game and practice, wearing an A on chest. After months absent from the locker room, Wood hopes to return to that role as one of the veterans players on the team.
"It's still a young group, I'm the old guy at 26 or whatever," Wood joked. "I feel like I took a step last season, so just to build off of that … I've been trying to peak my head in, have conversations with some of the guys that I don't know too well as much as possible. So trying to build that relationship and build off of what I established last year."
"I think he's not afraid to say something, he's got an infectious laugh too when he's around, it's a good personality to have around your room," Ruff said on what Wood contributes in the locker room. "Being here the amount of time he's been here, the way he's played and the way he carried himself last year, he's a guy that isn't one of those 10, 12 year veteran guys but a guy that's been here long enough that the other guys would look to him for advice and leadership and how to get things done the right way."
Now that Wood is back practicing, the next step is having him make his 2021-22 season debut. In the mean time, Wood's presence will bring more energy and excitement around the Devils.
"That was the most excited I've been in a March practice in awhile. I definitely had a pep in my step," Wood said. "It's nice to get the juice back in practice and playing with the guys and I hope to be back soon."
