RW Matthew Wood – Univ. of Minnesota, NCAA (2023, 15th, NSH)

[Mrb1p]

4 points in the bronze medal game for Wood. And this wasn't your ''meh, let's just get it over with'' bronze medal game you sometimes see. That was an intense battle throughout.

I continue to believe his skating ''issues'' are overblown.

Yea, overblown for sure. His speed is okay, his edges are mediocre and he doesn't have good speed retention because of it but Im pretty sure hed score a 3rd percentile on the "getting around scale", which isnt good, per say, but nowhere near the weakness people say it is.

Anyway, as its been said, hes so smart that he could be an immovable object and hed probably produce still.

 

[majormajor]

Anyway, as its been said, hes so smart that he could be an immovable object and hed probably produce still.

I'm past worrying about whether he'll make it and now I'm just wondering whether he'll be good or great. How high should he go?

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Yea, overblown for sure. His speed is okay, his edges are mediocre and he doesn't have good speed retention because of it but Im pretty sure hed score a 3rd percentile on the "getting around scale", which isnt good, per say, but nowhere near the weakness people say it is.

Anyway, as its been said, hes so smart that he could be an immovable object and hed probably produce still.

The skating issues aren't overblown. They are a legitimate concern, especially at the next level. That said, he has a knack for getting into good scoring positions in the offensive zone and has very good hands. Could develop into a JVR type with some time and hard work.

 

[NotProkofievian]

The skating issues aren't overblown. They are a legitimate concern, especially at the next level. That said, he has a knack for getting into good scoring positions in the offensive zone and has very good hands. Could develop into a JVR type with some time and hard work.

Very different player than JVR. In this tournament he was used as a garbageman because Truitt is a moron, but Wood is a much more intelligent and creative player, and more capable of scoring at distance than JVR.

People can rank him however they like, but just saying ''this guy skates bad'' and dropping him accordingly is straight up dumb. He has more than enough to compensate.

 

[WeThreeKings]

The balls on him for that OT winning feed. Oh baby.

 

[docbenton]

Thought he was maybe the best Canadian forward, along with Celebrini. Star potential for sure.

 

[Mrb1p]

I'm past worrying about whether he'll make it and now I'm just wondering whether he'll be good or great. How high should he go?

I have him 8th as of today, wouldnt even be mad if the Habs picked him with their first.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

I'm past worrying about whether he'll make it and now I'm just wondering whether he'll be good or great. How high should he go?

I said this a while ago and I got lambasted for it. But are Carlsson and Wood really so dissimilar?

 

[majormajor]

I said this a while ago and I got lambasted for it. But are Carlsson and Wood really so dissimilar?

I think they are quite dissimilar. Carlsson's skating is coming along, I see it turning into a strength. With Wood we just want it to be less awful.

There is a gap between the two for me. But I am debating if maybe Wood is the guy to pick at #4.

 

[Mrb1p]

I said this a while ago and I got lambasted for it. But are Carlsson and Wood really so dissimilar?

Youre not wrong there. Carlsson does own much better edges than Wood which makes him a much smoother player, I think he also owns a better set of hands. Wood has a better shot thats for sure.

Its something that never really crossed my mind because of the hype surrounding both players, youre right. They are infact pretty close to each other lol.

Im not sure Leo is much faster than Matthew in a foot race?

 

[Juxtaposer]

I said this a while ago and I got lambasted for it. But are Carlsson and Wood really so dissimilar?

Yes. Carlsson has plus skating for his size, it’s just his acceleration and lower body strength that could use some work. Carlsson has better playmaking, better hockey sense, better hands in tight, and uses his size more effectively, whereas Wood’s skating is bad (not just slow, but mechanically bad) even for his size, and his shot is much better than Carlsson’s.

Not a ding on Wood, I’d take him top-15 and be happy, and his upside might be as high as Carlsson (albeit a winger, whereas Carlsson is playing center with the Swedish men’s national team right now), but Carlsson has a much better floor and complete game. I don’t think they’re in the same stratosphere as prospects.

 

[NotProkofievian]

I think they are quite dissimilar. Carlsson's skating is coming along, I see it turning into a strength. With Wood we just want it to be less awful.

There is a gap between the two for me. But I am debating if maybe Wood is the guy to pick at #4.

4 is too rich for me especially this year. IMO the conversation starts at 8. I have a top 7 right now with the usual suspects in the top 4, Smith, Dvorsky and Reinbacher.

Then IMO it gets difficult. You have guys like Leonard, Benson, Wood, maybe a more speculative pick in Sale.

Comparing Leonard to Wood, Leonard's technical skills are much better than Wood's and you'd have to admit that he seems like a more straightforward pick to make. I think you will get a good player with Leonard. You have to weigh that against whether you might get a great player with Wood.

Just my 0.02

 

[NotProkofievian]

Yes. Carlsson has plus skating for his size, it’s just his acceleration and lower body strength that could use some work. Carlsson has better playmaking, better hockey sense, better hands in tight, and uses his size more effectively, whereas Wood’s skating is bad (not just slow, but mechanically bad) even for his size, and his shot is much better than Carlsson’s.

Not a ding on Wood, I’d take him top-15 and be happy, and his upside might be as high as Carlsson (albeit a winger, whereas Carlsson is playing center with the Swedish men’s national team right now), but Carlsson has a much better floor and complete game. I don’t think they’re in the same stratosphere as prospects.

Yeah, taking Wood over Carlsson on draft day is just bad risk management IMO. Only possible reasoning is for internet scout points in the off chance that Wood becomes the next Robertson. But you're almost certainly getting a very good player with Carlsson anyways, so it's a matter of picking your spots.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

4 is too rich for me especially this year. IMO the conversation starts at 8. I have a top 7 right now with the usual suspects in the top 4, Smith, Dvorsky and Reinbacher.

Then IMO it gets difficult. You have guys like Leonard, Benson, Wood, maybe a more speculative pick in Sale.

Comparing Leonard to Wood, Leonard's technical skills are much better than Wood's and you'd have to admit that he seems like a more straightforward pick to make. I think you will get a good player with Leonard. You have to weigh that against whether you might get a great player with Wood.

Just my 0.02

This has to be a size debate-no? There's really nothing Wood does better than a player like Leonard who despite being smaller has a much better shot, skating, and motor.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

This has to be a size debate-no? There's really nothing Wood does better than a player like Leonard who despite being smaller has a much better shot, skating, and motor.

Vision/playmaking, Hockey IQ, and yes size are MAJOR advantages Wood has.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Vision/playmaking, Hockey IQ, and yes size are MAJOR advantages Wood has.

Yes, he has a size advantage but you are seriously overstating the rest. Not sure where this elevation of Wood is coming from.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

4 is too rich for me especially this year. IMO the conversation starts at 8. I have a top 7 right now with the usual suspects in the top 4, Smith, Dvorsky and Reinbacher.

Then IMO it gets difficult. You have guys like Leonard, Benson, Wood, maybe a more speculative pick in Sale.

Comparing Leonard to Wood, Leonard's technical skills are much better than Wood's and you'd have to admit that he seems like a more straightforward pick to make. I think you will get a good player with Leonard. You have to weigh that against whether you might get a great player with Wood.

Just my 0.02

I agree with this, I think that the gap between the two isn’t as big as some may think.

There seems to be a predetermined top-4 for a lot of people but I don’t think this is the case. I think Carlsson is the favourite to go 3rd or 4th but I don’t know if he’ll progress like a Wood over the next 4-5 years, he is in my opinion closer to a finished product like William Eklund was in his draft year for example.

Wood is already a similar player and has more to improve in his game throughout the years, he’s more risky but I think the upside is much higher.

 

[NotProkofievian]

This has to be a size debate-no? There's really nothing Wood does better than a player like Leonard who despite being smaller has a much better shot, skating, and motor.

I may end up putting Leonard ahead, for the reason you list here.

But my argument for Wood is that he's probably an exceptional talent, and there's some strong statistical evidence for that. He's the best U17 in the BCHL for a good 30 years leading that league in scoring, and the best U18 PPG in NCAA in about the same about of time (better than Toews), leading his team in scoring as a true freshman a year early. I weigh stuff like that a lot. And then there was his tournament where he was a key player and had one of the better statistical performances for Team Canada ever (our record is only 15 pts).

From an eye test perspective, we can all see that Wood is slow and lumbering, and clumsy. But he's also always on the puck, always creating, if he fumbles one play he's somehow right back in the play immediately. He's a threat to score from a distance, he makes difficult passes with the flick of his wrist, and yes, he's beeg.

 

[Juxtaposer]

This has to be a size debate-no? There's really nothing Wood does better than a player like Leonard who despite being smaller has a much better shot, skating, and motor.

I think Wood has better puck skills and playmaking than Leonard, and if they both hit their ultimate upside, Wood would be a little better. But many of the things I love about Leonard are things that I actively dislike about Wood. I see Leonard as at the absolute worst a good middle-six winger who does everything well, especially forechecking and defensive play, and can pop 20 goals regularly because of his excellent shot. Wood’s worst case scenario is that he never makes the NHL, in my opinion.

I feel that where Wood ends up will fluctuate wildly for each scout. The ones who feel confident they can fix is skating (and other) issues will have him top-10, the ones sure they’re unfixable might not rank him. Where he goes will be one of the interesting storylines of the draft.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Yes, he has a size advantage but you are seriously overstating the rest. Not sure where this elevation of Wood is coming from.

I have been very high on Wood for a while now. Perhaps I was misinterpreted in my original statement, I really just meant that Size was the sole major advantage, and that being said Size is a very important trait.

Size is a MAJOR factor here, you have a 5’11“ Ryan Leonard, and a 6’4” Matthew Wood - No matter what your wife may tell you, 5” does matter. Wood is still very raw, if he can continue to learn how to effectively use size to his advantage to be better down low on the cycle, winning loose puck battles or being better in front of the Net, that player is super valuable come playoff time.

Leonard’s game and Wood’s game isn’t really similar - Wood relys on slowing the game
down, manipulating defenders and making plays around the goal mouth. Something he is really successful with. He is able to drive, and facilitate the offence. Leonard is more of a North-south guy that I see as a complementary piece that you maybe don’t want driving your offence, if you wish to find success.

i’ll put it like this, if Leonard scores at the same rate at BC next season as Wood did this year at UConn, it would be seen as a resounding success.

 

[majormajor]

Im not sure Leo is much faster than Matthew in a foot race?

Matthew Wood is probably faster in an end to end foot race than every top prospect not named Fantilli or Moore. But you will rarely see him weaving with the puck with speed the way Leo does. Leo is an exceptional player at carrying the puck through defenses. Wood can do a lot with the puck but not at high speed.

4 is too rich for me especially this year. IMO the conversation starts at 8. I have a top 7 right now with the usual suspects in the top 4, Smith, Dvorsky and Reinbacher.

Then IMO it gets difficult. You have guys like Leonard, Benson, Wood, maybe a more speculative pick in Sale.

Comparing Leonard to Wood, Leonard's technical skills are much better than Wood's and you'd have to admit that he seems like a more straightforward pick to make. I think you will get a good player with Leonard. You have to weigh that against whether you might get a great player with Wood.

Just my 0.02

Dvorsky and Reinbacher in the 4 through 6 spots... must be a Habs fan. You all hate on Grant McCagg and then end up following his lists lol.

I think Dvorsky is too slow and lacks touch on his passes, I think he's a bottom sixer in the making.

I really like Leonard but I don't think he and Wood are similar types of players. Leonard is the elite athlete. Wood has the elite touch and smarts for small area plays. He moves awkwardly but he's a very high skill player.

This has to be a size debate-no? There's really nothing Wood does better than a player like Leonard who despite being smaller has a much better shot, skating, and motor.

I guess I just wrote it but I like Wood a lot more from a stand still. Look at his pass to Celebrini on the game winner yesterday. Leonard is good at small area plays too but Wood is on a higher level.

 

[Lavar Ball]

No matter what your wife may tell you, 5” does matter.

 

[majormajor]

I agree with this, I think that the gap between the two isn’t as big as some may think.

There seems to be a predetermined top-4 for a lot of people but I don’t think this is the case. I think Carlsson is the favourite to go 3rd or 4th but I don’t know if he’ll progress like a Wood over the next 4-5 years, he is in my opinion closer to a finished product like William Eklund was in his draft year for example.

Wood is already a similar player and has more to improve in his game throughout the years, he’s more risky but I think the upside is much higher.

I don't see it that way, I look at Carlsson's skating, which is already very good, and I can see a straight forward path for it to become even better as he gets more strength lower in his legs and can use proper flexion. Wood's skating can improve but the heavy legs issue is generally permanent, it will probably never reach an average level.

I think Wood has better puck skills and playmaking than Leonard, and if they both hit their ultimate upside, Wood would be a little better. But many of the things I love about Leonard are things that I actively dislike about Wood. I see Leonard as at the absolute worst a good middle-six winger who does everything well, especially forechecking and defensive play, and can pop 20 goals regularly because of his excellent shot. Wood’s worst case scenario is that he never makes the NHL, in my opinion.

I feel that where Wood ends up will fluctuate wildly for each scout. The ones who feel confident they can fix is skating (and other) issues will have him top-10, the ones sure they’re unfixable might not rank him. Where he goes will be one of the interesting storylines of the draft.

I don't think his skating will improve that much and I still see Wood as a top ten guy, I think he's that skilled.

 

[Mrb1p]

This has to be a size debate-no? There's really nothing Wood does better than a player like Leonard who despite being smaller has a much better shot, skating, and motor.

Size matters.

Leonard isnt a much better shooter, let alone any better than Wood and hes nowhere near his effectiveness with the puck. Wood is literally the engine that drives the bus anywhere he goes, Leonard has never been that. Wood has a lot more in common with Smith than he does Leonard.

Love Leonard, but Wood is a different talent level IMO.

 

[Hale The Villain]

Part of the problem with Wood's skating is his passiveness. He doesn't move his feet enough and can be, dare I say it, slightly lazy at times.

That can be improved and if he improves his skating and moves his feet more he could legitimately be a star forward. Not often you see so much talent and IQ in a guy that big.