Fantomas
Registered User
- Aug 7, 2012
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Did not look like a "poor skater" to me at the U18s. Improved a lot.
RW Matthew Wood – Univ. of Minnesota, NCAA (2023, 15th, NSH)
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Did not look like a "poor skater" to me at the U18s. Improved a lot.
sting101
Registered User
- Feb 8, 2012
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The difference from Wood at the start of the year looking sluggish and awkward against NCAA players to the end of the season is significant. Woods trajectory if this continues somewhat is incredibly high.
A young player with the intelligence to take the route he has and show the massive steps in impovement (work ethic) combined with his frame is extremely tantalizing.
Would not surprise me if Arizona calls his name at 6
A young player with the intelligence to take the route he has and show the massive steps in impovement (work ethic) combined with his frame is extremely tantalizing.
Would not surprise me if Arizona calls his name at 6
Rabid Ranger
2 is better than one
I don't agree. His skating continues to be labored. He's very skilled otherwise though. Maybe that will be enough, especially if as Steve says he's in a situation that minimizes those deficiencies.
The part in bold is an understatement to say the least.
It's like saying that McDavid has a better offensive game than Ryan McLeod.
In hindsight its easy to say. But as a prospect Boyle tore up prep hockey back when it was a lot more prestigous than it is today. He was always a project, but he was still looked at as a guy who could score in his draft year. It didnt transition when he went to BC but ultimately had a good 4 years there.
Tarasenko has NEVER relied on speed, huh? And he "dropped" off bc of THREE shoulder surgeries on same shoulder, but came back and dropped 30 plus again. His game was all about elite wrist shot and release, then at times a power forward.
Petes2424
Registered User
- Aug 4, 2005
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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.
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.
TheUnusedCrayon
Registered User
- Apr 12, 2018
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I dunno how your reading of what I wrote comprehended that. I even used Boeser as an example to specifically indicate players that don't rely on speed but their shots and getting their elite shots off.
The past couple years Tarasenko has slowed down as he's in his 30s now and he's not nearly getting as many shots off. He's shooting a third less than when he was younger and could skate better. When you're a shooter you tend to want to shoot to get your goals and if you can't get to where you need to be to shoot then that's the problem which is why I brought him up in the first place alongside Boeser.
On top of that, to bring this back on topic, Wood isn't a big inside cutting forward like Robertson was. He likes to shoot lots, but mostly outside of the home plate. He will have to work on learning how to get to danger areas at the NHL level, which is something Robertson was already extremely good at in junior.
Doug Prishpreed
Registered User
I'd be really surprised, if only because there has been so many consistent rumors for a while now, that's it's between Reinbacher, Dvorsky, or Leornard for them...although you could argue the non-leonard ones might be an option for them at 11, so they can potentially come away with two of those.
MMC
Global Moderator
Dominance
99-66-4-9-87/97
What he did to the NCAA in his draft year was so much more impressive than a guy like Tkachuk. He works hard, has a great shot, incredible playmaker, will be practically impossible to take the puck from at his peak.
But while some said his skating took a step this year, it’s still painful. In a league where speed kills, it’s a real red flag. Taking a step in that department could be the difference between a 40 and PPG+ point scorer - because he has everything else needed for the latter today.
But while some said his skating took a step this year, it’s still painful. In a league where speed kills, it’s a real red flag. Taking a step in that department could be the difference between a 40 and PPG+ point scorer - because he has everything else needed for the latter today.
GermanSpitfire
EU Video Scout for McKeen’s | Rest Easy #13
Love this player so much. Has shown so
much improvement this year. You’re looking at the next Mark Stone/Jason Robertson here folks
much improvement this year. You’re looking at the next Mark Stone/Jason Robertson here folks
Welcome to Nashville! Our fan base is ecstatic with this pick.
Scoresberg
Perpetual Mediocrity
There was some discussion on the Preds board that UConn will try Wood at center next year as he has some experience playing that position as well.
Anyone closer to the program can confirm this?
Anyone closer to the program can confirm this?
- Apr 27, 2005
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He has the potential to be more than a top line / PP1 winger. If everything works out he could be a top 5-10 winger in the world. He's obviously got a tremendous feel for the game, but also has underrated tools.
He's going to tear up the NCAA next year. I wouldn't be shocked to see him turn pro after his sophomore year.
UConn's Matthew Wood, the youngest player in college hockey, expected to be first-round NHL pick
UConn forward Matt Wood, the youngest player in college hockey last season, is expected...
Mentions it in there. It's a Connecticut based news source so maybe they have some knowledge on it.
Sounds very exciting if what you are predicting indeed comes true. It’s interesting that Wood admires and models his play after that of Tage Thompson, both from the same school hockey program I believe.
Not with his skating, which is just awful.
Rabid Ranger
2 is better than one
The skating is certainly a knock, but just in our basic draftee development camp he was one of the better players on the ice and in no way did it seem like he was playing behind or couldn't keep up. It was the opposite, he was around the puck and constantly involved looking like the player he should in the scrimmage. I get there are levels he will need to raise his game to, but there are guys that "can't skate" but still somehow end up around the puck when it counts.
Will be interesting to see play out. Definitely has the high end skills other than the skating, but the skating is really terrible. Slow and awkward and clunky. High risk high reward.
Fantomas
Registered User
- Aug 7, 2012
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Nobody who closely watched Wood at the U18s would call his skating "slow and clunky." Unless they are straight up dishonest.
Pavel Buchnevich
"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
Robertson’s skating has never been as bad as some claimed.
If you don’t think it’s slow and clunky, I don’t know what to tell you.
Skating doesn’t improve that much in such a short span. You can compliment the player and how he played at that tournament, and admit his skating is slow and clunky.
It wasn't though. It was quite good, definitely at least average in that tournament. Better than Robertson at the same age for sure (or probably even now).
