The Columbus Blue Jackets are getting a boost up front as forward Miles Wood has officially been activated from Injured Reserve. After missing the last 12 games with a lower-body injury sustained on New Year’s Eve against the Devils, Wood is set to rejoin the lineup tonight as the Jackets host the Philadelphia Flyers.
This will mark a key return for Columbus, as Wood had been carving out a solid first season with the club before the injury. In 32 games, the 30-year-old has notched eight goals and four assists, adding a physical edge with 16 penalty minutes and 51 shots on goal. His speed and north-south style have been a welcome addition since arriving via trade from Colorado back in late June.
At 6-foot-2 and 209 pounds, Wood brings a blend of size, grit, and scoring touch that fits well into the Blue Jackets’ forward group. A Buffalo native, he’s played 545 career NHL games since debuting in 2015-16, putting up 194 points (99 goals, 95 assists) along with 566 penalty minutes across stints with New Jersey, Colorado, and now Columbus. Originally a fourth-round pick of the Devils in 2013, Wood has carved out a reputation as a hard-driving winger who can chip in offensively while bringing energy on every shift.
To make room on the roster, the Blue Jackets have reassigned forwards Zach Aston-Reese and Brendan Gaunce to the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters. Both players cleared waivers before the move. Their return to the Monsters gives Columbus some flexibility while allowing Wood to slot back into the lineup.
The timing couldn’t be better. With the Flyers in town and the Blue Jackets looking to build some momentum, getting a veteran presence like Wood back in the mix adds another layer to their attack.
Puck drops at 7:30 p.m. ET at Nationwide Arena, with coverage on TNT and TruTV, and radio coverage on 97.1 The Fan and BlueJackets.com.