Prospect Info: Matthew Wood - RW | 15th Overall | 2023 NHL Draft

[JPT]

I heard he was just clenching too hard. He’s been using different laxatives, just needs to find the one that works best for him. Give him time, I’m sure he will make a splash lol

Sounds like the equipment manager needs to introduce him to a squatty potty

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

For those who have followed him this season, what exactly caused him to dip in production and what is the expected outlook for him in the future?

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

For those who have followed him this season, what exactly caused him to dip in production and what is the expected outlook for him in the future?

Well, last season the whole Connecticut team scored a fair bit less. If one wanted to compare his stats to the team...

2022-23: Connecticut 113g/185a/298pts; Wood 11g(9.7%)/23a(12.4%)/34pts(11.4%)
(Team record 20-12-3)

2023-24: Connecticut 90g/141a/231pts; Wood 16g(17.8%)/12a(8.5%)/28pts(12.1%)
(Team record 15-19-2)

... so his total production wasn't necessarily a "dip" relative to the whole team offense dipping and the team being weaker overall. And one could also surmise that his increased goal share and reduced assists is also a reflection on the team around him being less talented (fewer passing options/conversion of his passes).

I guess the hope for next season is to see him flourish in a stronger program at UofMinnesota, surrounded by quite a few more drafted prospects. I would imagine a goal would be around 40+ pts, plus a strong WJC.

What happens with him in the future? I guess we'll see what he does with his skating issues mostly. He seemed to pick up a lot more PIMs last season, I don't know if that is indicative of him playing more aggressively/physically or not, but anything he can add to his game on that front would help. James Neal was pretty chippy for us while not being a great skater... if Wood can bring that sort of game down the road, maybe more as a playmaker than finisher compared to Neal, but something along that level of a player, that'd be alright?

 

[Scoresberg]

Wood opens up his season in University of Minnesota with 3 assists and a +5 in a 7-1 win.

 

[AintLifeGrand]

Wood opens up his season in University of Minnesota with 3 assists and a +5 in a 7-1 win.

about as agood of a start as we could have hoped for

i like the playmaking version of matt wood more than the 1 dimensional goal scorer

 

[Scoresberg]

Wood continuing his strong start in Minnesota. 7 points in 4 games this far.

 

[AintLifeGrand]

Wood continuing his strong start in Minnesota. 7 points in 4 games this far.

Yea hes been looking good. Only 2nd on team scoring though

 

[predfan24]

Yea hes been looking good. Only 2nd on team scoring though

What a disappointment

 

[jumb0]

What a disappointment

The regression continues

 

[herzausstein]

about as agood of a start as we could have hoped for

i like the playmaking version of matt wood more than the 1 dimensional goal scorer

He couldnt be a playmaker last season because the other players on his team couldnt score.

 

[Remparts666]

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

fyi -I asked about him on the Wild board

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.

 

[Rythashocka]

Another goal and assist through two periods, his goal was a really nice shot.

 

[Remparts666]

Cut from the WJC after making the team last year . This sucks as I was looking forward to watching him play . It almost never happens that they cut someone the year after making the team. He must be really disappointed. He did score in the exhibition they played.

 

[Flgatorguy87]

Maybe over thinking this, but this cut to me is likely because of how specific of a niche he currently fills. He really seems to be a top line shot that needs other guys creating space so that he can work to get his shot off. Not physical enough to fit the bottom lines and doesn't do enough other things to play in the top 6 with a well-built team. I also wonder if he's able to skate with that higher level of line.

 

[Top 6 Spaling]

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

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.

By god, is that Steven Stamkos's music??

 

[Bringer of Jollity]

Sounds like another rousing 1st round success story for the Perds.