In his second pro season, Woods, who turns 23 next week, eclipsed totals from his rookie season by a fairly significant margin. He jumped from five goals to 13, from three assists to 17 and from eight points to 30, the latter of which tied for fourth on an offensively challenged Checkers team. He did so while maintaining the physical presence his 6-foot-3, 215-pound frame allows, topping 100 penalty minutes for the first time.
There was also that first taste of the NHL, where he appeared in two games for Carolina on either side of Christmas.
“I don’t know if I expected it,” said Woods, who topped out at 12 points in his two collegiate seasons, of his increased offensive totals. “I’ve never been a big point guy, but I have the ability and the traits to score goals. I have a pretty big shot and, for a big guy, have decent speed. I wasn’t expecting to do as well as I did but now I’ve proved to myself that I’m capable.”
Though he played enough center earlier in his career, the University of Wisconsin product found his scoring stride despite playing what the organization would consider out of position for all but a handful of shifts this season. Projected as a winger, where he played while in the NHL, holes created by the faster-than-expected promotion of Victor Rask to Carolina and injuries to Patrick Brown, Ben Holmstrom, Greg Nemisz and Brody Sutter scattered throughout the season always seemed to prevent Woods from sliding into his ideal spot.
Still, he held his own.
Woods’ increased opportunity at least partially resulted from the Checkers’ lack of scoring depth compared to previous years, including his first pro campaign in 2013-14. As he prepares to enter the final year of his entry-level contract, it could be interesting to see how the organization defines his role on next year’s Checkers team should he not make an immediate jump to the NHL. If there are more scorers available, does he go back to a supporting role? Or has he proven he belongs with the scorers?
The Checkers’ new coach, whoever that might be, could feel differently, but outgoing coach Jeff Daniels seemed to lean more towards the former scenario.
“I don’t think he’s going to be a 30 or 40 goal scorer,” said Daniels, who went on to project Woods closer to the range of 15. “If he makes the jump (to the NHL), it’s going to be in the bottom six so he can’t forget what’s going to get him there. He’s a big guy that has to be physical, have that detail part of the game and be able to kill penalties.”
Daniels added that, even if Woods continues his upward trajectory and does make the NHL in a depth role, putting him in a position to continue having offensive success in the AHL wouldn’t hurt.
“Guys are down here to work on their skills,” said Daniels. “You have guys on the power play that, if we had more goal scorers, might not see that opportunity, but in the long run it helps their confidence so that if they do end up playing a lesser role they can still make plays.”
As he heads towards another offseason, Woods, who was among the better-conditioned athletes at Carolina’s main training camp last fall, will certainly have that confidence from knowing he can contribute on the score sheet and, as evidenced by his recall, is clearly on Carolina’s radar when it comes to players on the cusp of making the next step.
“I’ve been dreaming about it since I was a little kid and working towards it, and for it to actually be a reality and be true was one of the best things that could ever happen to me,” said Woods of that recall. “My goal is to be in the NHL and I’m going to be working my butt off in the summer to get there.”
