Photo: IANBETHUNE_ ON IG
We are now only three days away from the NHL Draft. We continue our evaluation of the players the Washington Capitals would likely select with the eighth overall pick. Today we will look forward Matt Wood.
previous profiles
David Reinbacher
Matvey Michkov
Colby Barlow
Oliver Moore
Dalibor Dvorsky
Andrew Crystal
Gabe Perrault
Zack Benson
will Smith
Brayden Yager
Tom Wilander
Ryan Leonard
Matthew Wood – (18) – 6’3″ – 190 lbs, LW/C, UConn (Hockey East, NCAA)
Wood was the youngest player in college hockey this year at 17 years old. He just finished his senior college campaign at the University of Connecticut, tallying 34 points (11 goals, 23 assists) in 35 games.
Wood led the Huskies in both assists and points. The 18-year-old was also named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team, and led Team Canada to the gold medal at the U-18 World Championships with 13 points (seven goals, six assists) in seven games.
The previous year, he led the BCHL with 85 points (45 goals, 40 assists) with the Victoria Grizzlies.
Wood’s best asset is his shot. He has a wicked powerful wrist jab and can turn corners from anywhere. His one lethal counter will help power up any team’s unit. The Lethbridge, Alberta native, is also a decent passer with a solid hockey IQ and slick hands, but he’s definitely not rated as a playmaker.
Wood’s biggest weakness is his skating. He is slow to rush and struggles to check back due to his lack of pace and acceleration. This may be due to his 6-foot-3 frame. He also needs to improve his two-way game and competition.
TSN’s Craig Patton went Wood at sixth overall to the Arizona Coyotes in his latest mock draft. This is surprising considering it ranked outside the top ten.
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Blessed with a 6-foot-4 frame and 193 pounds, Scout already plays in Wood’s cap in the NHL. Although size has been less important in recent years with smaller forwards like Johnny Goudreau, Brayden Point and Patrick Kane dominating the competition, coaches and general managers still love a big guy like Wood in their squad. Besides his size, he also has soft hands and a deadly wrist shot that he’s not afraid to fire. Currently the team leader in shots, he’s been kept off the shot clock only once this season so far and is usually good for at least three times a game. Needless to say, he doesn’t need to be asked to shoot the disc.
Nick Richards, Dubber Horizons
Wood is one of the best pure scorers in the draft this year. The long-range winger has an outstanding shot and is skilled at scoring goals at a high rate. His release is very quick and he gets a lot of power behind every shot. Wood’s ability to find the back of the net stems from Also from his excellent hands and IQ with the puck. He has a long reach and a good active stick, can find passing lanes and shoot well, but he has to improve his pace, movement and two-way play.”
Wood is a very talented offensive player. He has excellent individual skills and offensive intelligence. He has the ability to hold onto balls for an extra second and knows how to beat defenders with skill. He also has an excellent wrist shot and one-timer, making him a major asset in the power play. Wood is a big wing too, so the size/skill combo has a lot of upsides. However, his skating is problematic because he lacks the ability to break away and his NHL pace will challenge him. I wouldn’t call him the physical type or the high contender, and I’ve seen him spend nights, but Wood is a big body who can use his frame to win fights and get into the inner parts of the attack zone well enough. I think he’s going to be a top six player on the wings who’s going to be a big part of the power play in the NHL, but he can frustrate his coaches at times.
Other ratings
Bob Mackenzie: 11
Daily Vesuv: 12
Sportsnet: 14
NHL Central Scouts: 4 (among NA skaters)
By Jacob Shires