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

[Bonin21]

I currently don't see an NHL future because yes, his skating is absolutely awful.

Also this guy was supposed to be our second Snuggerud but he seems scared to shoot the puck most of the time? Good player but had different idea of his game.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

I currently don't see an NHL future because yes, his skating is absolutely awful.

Also this guy was supposed to be our second Snuggerud but he seems scared to shoot the puck most of the time? Good player but had different idea of his game.

Progress update?

 

[Bonin21]

Progress update?

The exact same thing I said there. First round puck skills and vision. That's it. Good college player but unlikely full-time NHLer.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

The exact same thing I said there. First round puck skills and vision. That's it. Good college player but unlikely full-time NHLer.

Interesting. Would think Nashville tries to get Wood signed after this season. although his rights could be dealt if the Predators believe he hasn't made enough progress since his freshman year at UConn. From your reports, seems like not enough progress is being made for a guy who ranged from 7 to 25 on most boards prior to the 2023 Draft.

 

[Corso]

The exact same thing I said there. First round puck skills and vision. That's it. Good college player but unlikely full-time NHLer.

His elite shot and hands will get him a role in the NHL, but yes it will be a limited role.

 

[Bonin21]

His elite shot and hands will get him a role in the NHL, but yes it will be a limited role.

He has not showed an elite shot this year against Big Ten competition.

He's fifth on the team in goals. 0 PPG. He gets a lot of shots but a lot of them are muffins.

When I watch him, I think he would be one of the 6'4" best pond hockey players you'd ever see in your life. And I'll leave it at that.