Seems like a very mature kid
Skating will prevent him from being an NHLer.
This video makes me think Wood's skating has a lot to do with conditioning. He has several shifts where he's skating fine, but then others where he's just terrible. And it seems like the longer the shift, the worse he skates.
This is from Scott Wheeler's recent article in the Athletic
12. Matthew Wood — C/RW, University of Connecticut, 6-foot-4
One of my favourites in the 2005 age group, Wood is the youngest player in college hockey this season (he was, for a moment, its only 17-year-old) and has stepped right in to become an impactful player on a good UConn team (albeit as a winger after playing mostly centre at the Jr. A level). His near point-per-game production at the top of the Huskies’ stat sheet comes a year after he led the BCHL in goals (45 in 46 games) and points (85) for a 1.85 points-per-game clip that stands as the most productive 16-year-old season in the league in decades, besting Alex Newhook (1.47), Kyle Turris (1.26), Tyson Jost (0.98), and Kent Johnson (0.81) — while being four months younger than Johnson was at the time. Wood is a rangy, goal-scoring forward who has silky hands for his size (considering the long stick he uses, he’s got great control on the toe of his blade out wide and the heel in tight to his feet), a marksman’s shot inside the offensive zone (both through a natural shooting motion and his one-timer), and a sixth sense for arriving around the net/slot at the right time.
He’s got quick hands one-on-one, he drops pucks back into his shooting stance effortlessly, and he’s got a beautiful curl-and-drag motion. There’s work to do to get a little quicker from a standstill, and that leaves some believing he’s more of a mid-to-late first than an upper-half-of-the-first guy, but he’s better suited as a playmaker and finisher than a power forward type anyways. I love the way he slows down the game, adjusts and maneuvers his frame and shades pucks. Mix in a multi-dimensional shooting arsenal and I see top-six upside.
I know he's a respected guy, but Wheeler is just plain wrong here. Wood has never played centre in his two years in the BCHL. He's always been a winger. 2nd point, Wheeler only casually mentions his speed, which is his greatest weakness.
I don't want to be mean but I hate lazy journalism and its pretty evident that Wheeler just wrote the article with some cursory stats from the internet.
Is this guy one of the more under-looked prospects in the 2023 draft? PPG in the NCAA at 17/18 year olds is pretty impressive. It hasn't been done since Jonathan Toews, and Wood's ppg is actually Better than what Toews put up.
Why has Yager got way more hype than Heidt? Both Saskatoon products who played together and Heidt is putting up better numbers in the WHL this year.You're partially right. He does have poor conditioning. His conditioning will get better, but his mechanics (He bites down on the ice, a lot, he needs to learn to stay light on his skates.) will also need to get better because he's not making himself any favor.
Otherwise, he 100% needs to get stronger legs, he's just not explosive. He is a rangy kid, and a heavy one so when he gets going he's more than fine and he's almost on rails (That comes from biting down on the ice, which is good at times, bad at times.).
A forward that had a lot of success with this type of skating mechanic is Alex Kovalev, though Kovalev did learn to stay light on his feet and had almost superhuman edges.
Im not scared for wood. He's going to be a good one.
Shouldn't be news to anyone who's been following prospects even casually. Him and Pronman are the biggest jokes.
Yes he is. Him and Heidt are both way, way underrated.
Size, goalscoring. Yager had more points at Hlinka.Why has Yager got way more hype than Heidt? Both Saskatoon products who played together and Heidt is putting up better numbers in the WHL this year.
Why has Yager got way more hype than Heidt? Both Saskatoon products who played together and Heidt is putting up better numbers in the WHL this year.
Yet Heidt weighs more than Yager and is only 1" shorter according to hockeydb. Heidt was also drafted higher in the bantam draft, so Idk if I believe that Heidt was seen as robin per say. They basically have put up near identical pts in their careers so far.Size, goalscoring. Yager had more points at Hlinka.
Also I think Yager was always seen as Batman to Heidts robin.
Its typical draft hype.
Ya I can see it for sure. Good size like Laine as well. Apparently his skating is really bad or is this aspect over blown considering he seems to get around the ice fairly well?Does anybody else see a some Laine in Wood's game?
Smooth skater, soft hands, heavy heavy shot, sees the ice well. Not the quickest but deceptively fast. Visibly, they look very similar out there. I think Laine was more talented but I like Wood's motor more and willingness to go to the tough areas / defend.
I think the last adjectives I'd use for Wood is "smooth skater" or "fast"... Laine was a way better skater, which is kind of telling. I like Wood and I think he could improve his skating. He's a big teenager with probably still weak legs.Does anybody else see a some Laine in Wood's game?
Smooth skater, soft hands, heavy heavy shot, sees the ice well. Not the quickest but deceptively fast. Visibly, they look very similar out there. I think Laine was more talented but I like Wood's motor more and willingness to go to the tough areas / defend.
Wood: 34 points in 35 NCAA games
Tkachuk: 31 points in 40 NCAA games
No comparison on who is more well-rounded, but still.
I have to disagree, but I can see why others would think he's slow. But his top speed is actually pretty good and he's very smooth once he gets into his stride.I think the last adjectives I'd use for Wood is "smooth skater" or "fast"... Laine was a way better skater, which is kind of telling. I like Wood and I think he could improve his skating. He's a big teenager with probably still weak legs.
Laine's shot is in a class of its own, just elite. It was obvious in Liiga in his draft year... Crazy strong, heavy, accurate wrist shot and one timers.
Wood has a "heavy shot", but nowhere near Laine's.
I'd say Wood's package is closer to Armia's. Big, soft hands, heavy shot. Slow.
He should go in the draft around where Armia's went as well (mid 1st), while Laine was a top talent in his draft. Wood is not elite prospect tier like Laine was, but he could become a good NHLer. How he was able to produce offensively in the BCHL and NCAA in his D-2 and D-1 is certainly an indication of a great potential.
Does anybody else see a some Laine in Wood's game?
Smooth skater, soft hands, heavy heavy shot, sees the ice well. Not the quickest but deceptively fast. Visibly, they look very similar out there. I think Laine was more talented but I like Wood's motor more and willingness to go to the tough areas / defend.
I have to disagree, but I can see why others would think he's slow. But his top speed is actually pretty good and he's very smooth once he gets into his stride.
He's faster than he looks.
Usually it's the other way around and I really wonder how his game translates maybe a team with multiple 1st rounders takes a chance after the top 15ish?He's slow, but you can't teach size (lol, I know), and most importantly he finds a way to score at each level in an impressive manner.
Many teams will regret passing on him for a faster, smaller, flashier player.
You need guys like him in your top 9.