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RW Matthew Wood – UConn, NCAA (2023, 15th, NSH)

I currently don't see an NHL future because yes, his skating is absolutely awful.

Also this guy was supposed to be our second Snuggerud but he seems scared to shoot the puck most of the time? Good player but had different idea of his game.
 
Bonin21 said:
The exact same thing I said there. First round puck skills and vision. That's it. Good college player but unlikely full-time NHLer.
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Interesting. Would think Nashville tries to get Wood signed after this season. although his rights could be dealt if the Predators believe he hasn't made enough progress since his freshman year at UConn. From your reports, seems like not enough progress is being made for a guy who ranged from 7 to 25 on most boards prior to the 2023 Draft.
 
Corso said:
His elite shot and hands will get him a role in the NHL, but yes it will be a limited role.
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He has not showed an elite shot this year against Big Ten competition.

He's fifth on the team in goals. 0 PPG. He gets a lot of shots but a lot of them are muffins.

When I watch him, I think he would be one of the 6'4" best pond hockey players you'd ever see in your life. And I'll leave it at that.
 
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I think this guy is unlikely to stick in the NHL. Someone said elite shot and hands will get him a role, but he won't have time to use either in the NHL, nor be in a position to do so unless his skating makes absolute leaps towards improvement. I would trade him now if I am Trotz before he's in the bust category. He's got good enough numbers to show he's kind of involved, but he's picking up a lot of participation points on a good college team.

I've been more down on him that most but watching him in development camp last year I gave him the benefit of the doubt for being young. Watching him this year just made me realize he's a bad skater even in development camp comparison. I will watch him again this summer and see where he's at...if he's still around, but if he's still being outskated by everyone on the ice including invites then I don't have much confidence in his ability to make the leaps he will need.
 
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I’ve seen a lot of negative feedback in this thread so I just wanted to juxtapose that for any Predators fans who have low expectations of this kid coming into Nashville. He’s an ugly visual skater but he’s had to almost completely relearn how to skate as a kid who underwent a 7 inch growth spurt in a year or so. The tools are there and we know what wonders that NHL power skating coaches can do. The reality is, he has the skill and offensive ability to be a really high level player at the NHL level. Will it happen? Who knows, but Nashville may be a good place to develop with veteran players and room to ascend in the lineup.
 
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Dr Jan Itor said:
Not quite as bad as Cooley, Knies, Faber, Lacombe and Johnson but still hurts. Hello, transfer portal.

None were surprising, except I thought there was maybe an outside chance for Moore.
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Y'all retooled well after losing the 2023 guys, but losing the 2025 guys could mean a bit of step back for the program.

Wood didn't look great during the 2nd half of the season, interested to see how he does in pro
 
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