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

[Lavar Ball]

Seems like a very mature kid

 

[Michoulicious]

Seems like a very mature kid

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.

 

[Lavar Ball]

Check out this filthy assist:

Goal as well:

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Underrated by many.

 

[Kevin Musto]

I'm a Wood believer.

If his skating holds him back at the NHL level, then everyone is free to point and laugh at me.

But I think all of his good qualities outweigh the bad.

 

[LeProspector]

Skating will prevent him from being an NHLer.

 

[evolutionbaby]

Respect the Wood

 

[Corso]

Skating will prevent him from being an NHLer.

Yup just like it prevented Brett Hull, except Hull was smaller and an even poorer skater than Wood and yet....

Nobody should be sleeping on this kid anymore....He is a seventeen year old playing NCAA hockey and more than just contributing. I just can't see how he isn't a top half pick in the upcoming draft.

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

Looks like his season ended tonight (UCONN lost their game and every indication is they are not going to make the NCAA tournament). He picked up an assist in that game. So 34 points in 35 games. Pretty good for a 17 year old in the NCAA, especially for a guy who apparently can't skate.

Will be interesting to see if he is playing at the U-18 for Canada.

 

[Half Clapper]

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.

 

[Mrb1p]

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.

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.

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.

Shouldn't be news to anyone who's been following prospects even casually. Him and Pronman are the biggest jokes.

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.

Yes he is. Him and Heidt are both way, way underrated.

 

[Half Clapper]

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.

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.

 

[Mrb1p]

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.

Size, goalscoring. Yager had more points at Hlinka.

Also I think Yager was always seen as Batman to Heidts robin.

Its typical draft hype.

 

[Hale The Villain]

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.

Skillset. Yager is viewed as more dynamic and should be the better goal scorer.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

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.

 

[Half Clapper]

Size, goalscoring. Yager had more points at Hlinka.

Also I think Yager was always seen as Batman to Heidts robin.

Its typical draft hype.

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.

However, this year Heidt is putting up almost 1.4 ppg and Yager is putting up 1.12 ppg. Heidt also only has 4 less goals than Yager this year and 21 more assists. Too me it is baffling how Yager is ranked 10 picks higher when you go by the stats.

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.

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?

 

[Siludin]

If Matthew Wood was being this productive as a freshman in college in any other draft, he'd be a top-5 pick. I think he's gonna be a riser.

 

[Dominance]

Wood: 34 points in 35 NCAA games

Tkachuk: 31 points in 40 NCAA games

No comparison on who is more well-rounded, but still.

 

[Michoulicious]

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.

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.

 

[Hale The Villain]

Wood: 34 points in 35 NCAA games

Tkachuk: 31 points in 40 NCAA games

No comparison on who is more well-rounded, but still.

And that's with Tkachuk being a year ahead in development as a late-birthday.

Wood is playing in college as a 17YR old. Only one this year and one of only a handful since the lockout.

That list can be seen here: Elite Prospects - NCAA Stats All-time season

Has had arguably the most impressive production at his age in the NCAA in a long time.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

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.

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.

 

[majormajor]

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 see a lot of Laine in Wood but not the part that makes me want to take him. Laine is maddening to watch.

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.

For me Wood's skating is a big problem. The top speed isn't an issue but it usually isn't the issue with bad skaters. It's not for Laine either. First step quickness and quick pivots are more important. How good of a skater someone is with an airport runway in front of them isn't as relevant for NHL hockey.

 

[samsagat]

Worrying statement regarding the CH and the 2023 draft

With the NHL trade deadline behind us, the focus is now on the 2023 draft for the Montreal Canadiens.

www.habsfanatics.com

Is Wood the player Brian Wilde is talking about?

The physicality part doesn't match but for the rest it could.

Wood has put up impressive numbers for a February born 17/18 yo in the NCAA.

Fantilli's in another stratosphere but Wood has put up numbers you don't see often as a draft year prospect playing in the NCAA. And he's not even a late born.

Skating is a concern but at 6'3" 185/190 pds, he'll certainly add muscles to his legs which could certainly ends up as his acceleration/first steps getting better.

He'd be a reach at Habs draft pick, but if they fall out of the top 5, with his size, skill set + impressive numbers in the NCAA, he'd certainly be a interesting gamble.

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

Definitely the most underrated player in the draft.

Similar draft -1 numbers to Kent Johnson in the BCJHL
PPG on a low scoring college team in your draft year. Pretty impressive.
Size, hands, IQ. He can fix the skating, and skating for wingers is overblown at the NHL level.

Tkachuk, Fox, Andersson, Mangiapane. All guys the Flames drafted with similar profiles (big numbers and questionable skating). I hope he’s there in the mid first.

 

[wetcoast]

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.

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?