Anyone here watchin Minn games that can provide some observations on Matthew Wood starts with this new team? 7 points in 4 games looks good but beyond that, I'm wondering whether he sticks out as someone who can be a full time NHLer within 2 years or beyond. Thanks
Smart player, finds the right spots on the ice, great shot. Would need to see a lot more, but my impression is he would be a complimentary player at the NHL level, more of a finisher than a driver of possession. Those kinds of guys are harder to project and rely a bit more on their specific situations.
Could he be in the NHL in two years? Maybe if everything went perfectly, but when would he likely be an actually effective NHL player? When he has developed enough physically to overmatch NHLers on net drives and win his puck battles, probably 4-6 years if he has the commitment to get there.
He is a worthy project if you need a shooting winger, but guys without lots of speed haven't been as successful recently. He doesn't have the skating of a Tuch or Raymond and that could limit his top potential. Victor Oloffson is going to sound like a harsh comparison, but I think they are similar in their projected ideal roles on the PP and in more sheltered 5v5 minutes. With a great two way 3C on his line, he could make a big splash.