Never seen Wood play prior to the under 18s last year. I actually joked at the time, he better be like Mark Stone because he’s just not going to be able to contribute in traffic at higher levels.
I’m 100% sold. He’s a complete power player and he does have a lot of Mark Stone to his game... the puck just finds him.
I’m a big Barlow fan for what he brings to the game, but when it comes to vision, and including his teammates, Wood is the better all-around player, with the natural goal scoring gift.
There’s no reason to think he can’t go just outside of the Top 10.
The good thing about his lack of foot speed is, he’s had to learn early, how to find open space in traffic, and the seams in transition. Probably more than any other player in this draft. At least that I’ve seen. The two major things you have to do (to score) in the NHL. Whether it was out of necessity or not, who cares. Now his foot speed isn’t as bad, after a season in college. You still notice it, but because he finds space so naturally, it’s not a concern. Same as Mark Stone. That’s who he mirrors, and I was joking about it the first time I seen him.
The sky really is the limit for him. Would I be shocked if Washington or Detroit took him in the Top 10? Nope. Don’t think they will because of other players that will be hard to pass up, but nobody should discount how good this kid is going to be.
He’s playing in the NHL in 2024. I actually think he should go pro right after the draft. He can slide right into an AHL’s Top 6 right now, and likely play in the NHL by the spring. Just needs a little more strength.
His success in the NHL isn’t going to be helped by working on any skill, strength, etc… at any lower level. He’s always going to have to work on his feet, but won’t matter if he’s in whatever league. He’s just going to need experience playing against other players who play well in traffic, and adjust to the speed of the game in the NHL. Not skating speed but the speed of how fast decisions are made, etc. A skill he already possesses. He just hasn’t played against too many players who think as fast as he does. That’s only going to happen in the NHL.
The game doesn’t come to many players. It comes to him.