GermanSpitfire
EU Video Scout for McKeen’s | Rest Easy #13
- Jul 20, 2020
- 12,404
- 22,486
It's very rare in general for a 17 year old to play, let alone produce in the NCAA at that age.
Here is the list since the lockout though.
RW Matthew Wood – Univ. of Minnesota, NCAA (2023, 15th, NSH)
- Thread starter Favin
- Start date
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Here is the list since the lockout though.
Forge
Blissfully Mediocre
Boonk
Registered User
- Oct 10, 2017
- 3,004
- 4,113
MichaelFarrell
Registered User
I’m not the biggest fan of his overall game. He’s not very fast, not very physical, and doesn’t have much of a motor. His acceleration is not great nor is his lateral movement and his skating is pretty clunky. But, he is talented for sure. He’s a pure shooter at this point and is heavily relied upon at UCONN. They definitely think highly of his skill set and the amount his coaches use him is very impressive for a freshman. His shot is beautiful and he’s able to use his size to maintain possession of the puck to make a good play. He is a pretty smart player but is too quick to shoot at times which tends to be a problem with young players.
I think there is a good chance he finds a job in the NHL and I think his floor is probably a Top 9 winger. Good size, good shot, and good instincts.
I think there is a good chance he finds a job in the NHL and I think his floor is probably a Top 9 winger. Good size, good shot, and good instincts.
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Bubbles
Die Hard for Bedard 2023
Where's that quote from? It's pretty accurate, IMO. I see him as a slower version of Laine.
MichaelFarrell
Registered User
It’s not a quote I wrote it but I accidentally italicized it lol.
A slower Laine is a good way to put it
MichaelFarrell
Registered User
The more I watch him, the more I think lower half on the 1st round. Good finisher but I’m not the biggest fan of his skating, defensive play, and overall motor. I think he’ll make the NHL, but I don’t see him as a potential 1st line winger.
I could be wrong, but there are a least 15 guys I’d pick before him at this point.
I could be wrong, but there are a least 15 guys I’d pick before him at this point.
WarriorofTime
Registered User
- Jul 3, 2010
- 32,926
- 22,944
Boonk
Registered User
- Oct 10, 2017
- 3,004
- 4,113
Since like 1998, they were D3 and played in Atlantic Hockey until 2010 before moving to Hockey East.
Jersey Fan 12
Positive Vibes
- Nov 20, 2006
- 7,425
- 3,243
Just curious since the World Juniors is currently taking place.
Canada rarely selects college players but does Wood get an opportunity either next year or in 2025?
Canada rarely selects college players but does Wood get an opportunity either next year or in 2025?
MichaelFarrell
Registered User
He might get an opportunity next year. But, he wasn’t good enough to make the roster this year. If he’s not going to be a top 6 shooting option next year, he won’t make the team.
He is likely invited to the selection camp next winter, making the team? Certainly a possibility, but a lot of good 05’s to contend with.
Lavar Ball
Neva Lost
Up to 7 goals and 9 assists in 21 games as the youngest player in the NCAA
Bubbles
Die Hard for Bedard 2023
He pretty much plays exactly the same way in the BCHL, except I see a bit more passing and vision in his game now compared to being more of a shooter.
HIs skating has not improved much, at least it hasn't gotten worse.
Really hard to gauge where he'll go in the 1st round. I think teams will fall in love with his tools and ignore the skating.
Lavar Ball
Neva Lost
Juxtaposer
Outro: Divina Comedia
At what point do you just have to ignore the skating with this guy? He’s a 6’3” 17 year old scoring 17 points in 22 games in the NCAA, and they aren’t cheap points either. If I’m picking around ~15 and no one obvious has slipped to me, I have to really start thinking about drafting Wood. Maybe it’s just me, but I’d prefer to take a chance on a guy with high-end size and skill and a glaring skating weakness and hoping he can overcome that weakness than someone who is a jack of all trades and hoping that guy develops an elite skill.
MichaelFarrell
Registered User
It’s not just about skating. It’s his overall style of play. He’s essentially a shooting option and not much else at this point. He has a big frame and an excellent shot. That’ll get you points at that level. I think he’s a good pick around 15-20. What keeps him out of a higher range for me is not just his skating but his overall motor, lack of physical play, and average playmaking ability.
I personally would take Quentin Musty, who plays a similar game, over him.
I like Wood a lot. With his size and shot, he is going to score many goals in the NHL. He is a true 17 (not one with a late birthday). He is skating with players 4-5 years older than him. His skating will get better.
MichaelFarrell
Registered User
It’s not just his skating that needs to improve. His overall game needs to improve. He’s scoring a lot because he had a great shot and is good in the offensive zone. He doesn’t have the frame of a 17 year old either. He is far more physically imposing than a guy like Gavin Brindley. Brindley is tiny but does way more each shift than Wood. I like Matt Wood. But, he lacks a true motor, pace of play, and great vision. He’s not a puck possession player. He’s great at his job though. He can put the puck in the net and he’s huge. But, he needs to incorporate more into his game.
He just doesn’t have any bite to his game that you would want in a player that isn’t going drive offense especially when that player is 6’3”. I have him ranked #17 on my list because of his tools but he’s actually falling a bit for me the more I watch him.
Brindley is 6 months older than Wood, is 5ft8, has only 10 pts in 20 games, and is -2 (one of the few minus players on his team) on one of the top teams in the country. Playing with a good motor makes you look good, but it does not necessarily make you effective.
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MichaelFarrell
Registered User
Brindley is far more effective but needs to put on weight and get stronger. He’s a buzzsaw with great talent and play making ability. He’s a very smart player as well who’s extremely effective and trusted by his coaches in all situations. He struggles with his overall ability to finish plays because he’s slight of frame. He’s solid with and without the puck, he is very quick and he competes in the hard areas. Gavin Brindley is a warrior out there as well as a skilled winger. Even mentioning his +\- is just ridiculous. Watch him play he’s an impact player.
Matthew Wood does not put that type of work into his play. He looks to get open and shoot. It’s a bit frustrating at times that he has the physical tools to be less one-dimensional but refuses to put the work in.
Don’t get me wrong, I have Matt Wood slightly ahead of Brindley today because of the size factor. But, Wood is a frustrating player to watch at times for sure.
Lou Bloom
Registered User
- Oct 14, 2020
- 1,269
- 2,307
The thing that stands out the most with Wood for me is his composure and ability to slow the game down, even in high traffic situations. It's a special skill and mix that with his slick hands, big time shot and underrated passing and vision and I don't see why he can't overcome his lack of foot speed and be a big time point producer in the NHL.
