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

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Mock draft has him going to the sens.

Tkachuk-Norris-Batherson
DeBrincat -Stutzle-Wood

That would be a pain in the ass to play against. Plus Ottawa can develop him slowly. Does he go pro next year or does he need another year on top?
 
I don't even know if a player that slow can play in the NHL in this day and age, regardless of elite stickhandling.

If he doesn't make improvements in that department, I don't even see how he's worth the investment of a 1st round pick.
 
Kevin Musto said:
I don't even know if a player that slow can play in the NHL in this day and age, regardless of elite stickhandling.

If he doesn't make improvements in that department, I don't even see how he's worth the investment of a 1st round pick.
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Mark Stone seems pretty decent. When he's not injured that is.

I think he will be fine, he's going to the NCAA and will have time to gain strength and improve his skating there.
 
I watched some tape and like someone said before, i do not think his skating is that bad. He has decent acceleration unlike Geekie but his strides lack power so his top end speed is below average. Skating aside, i do not see a top ten player. He owns a heavy shot but i dont see the elite hands/puck skills a lot of scouts are raving about.
 
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Kevin Musto said:
I don't even know if a player that slow can play in the NHL in this day and age, regardless of elite stickhandling.

If he doesn't make improvements in that department, I don't even see how he's worth the investment of a 1st round pick.
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I’m with you on this.

His skating is that bad. So incredibly sluggish. I’d have him as a first rounder, but if it doesn’t improve there might not be a regular place in the NHL for him.
 
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I thought Wood vs Stramel would be a good debate this season

Wood has the clear leg up right now but Stramel is the more physical player, and plays for a lower scoring team.

Before the season started I would say that both of them project better than Cutter Gauthier, which just speaks to the depth of this class that these guys are in the 10-15 range on most lists
 
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Absolute man child. I think Stramel still projects better at the next level but Wood is doing at his age is remarkable. His offensive instincts and skill set is undeniable. He is surrounded by guys 22, 23 even 24 years old and he looks like an absolute unit. I can’t imagine what he would be doing to junior kids right now with that kind of physical advantage.

He will remain somewhat divisive due to the skating and this loaded draft crop but sheesh…this guy is something else right now. On skill and resume alone he’s doing stuff that would be worthy of top 5 contention even in this crop. Obviously it’s the projection that gets a bit tricky.
 
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what's interesting is he uses 3 different sticks which are vastly different in height according to the Uconn announcers.
The 2 longest are about a tape lengths difference which is standard amongst players.
But the smallest is quite a bit shorter than the middle one, he guessed 3 tape lengths.

uses the smallest strictly for the PP
thought that was interesting.
 
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I've always had Wood above Stramel and I still do. Really the only thing Stramel does better is skate.. Wood is just the smarter and more talented hockey player. With his size, I don't think his skating will hold him back too much.
 
WeThreeKings said:
I've always had Wood above Stramel and I still do. Really the only thing Stramel does better is skate.. Wood is just the smarter and more talented hockey player. With his size, I don't think his skating will hold him back too much.
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Stramel is also more physical and better around the net. Also count discount Stramel is a center, so we’re talking about four advantages.

Wood is the more skilled player. Wood is as skilled as anyone in this draft, outside of Michkov and Bedard.

It’s all about the skating. You buy it’s an issue, buy it’s a non-issue, or think it’s somewhere in between.
 
When was the last time a 17 year old forward was producing this constantly in college?
 
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