Matthew Wood is an intriguing prospect that the Pittsburgh Penguins may select in the first round.
Inside The Penguins' coverage for the 2023 NHL Draft rolls on with another draft profile. The Pittsburgh Penguins have the chance to draft an impact player at 14th overall, and one of the most intriguing and NHL ready players could be available at their selection. Let's take a look at Matthew Wood.
Essentials:
2022-2023 Team: University of Connecticut (NCAA)
Position: Winger
One of the most intriguing prospect for the 2023 NHL Draft Mat Wood season Highlight in the NCAA
Height and Weight: 6’4, 193 pounds
NHL Central Scouting: 8th (among North American skaters)
Elite Prospects: 28th
Shoots: Right
Position: Right Wing
2022-23 Stats: 35 GP, 11 G, 23 A, 34 P
Player Breakdown
The most impressive freshman in college hockey was far and away Matthew Wood at the University of Connecticut. Nearly a point per game player at only 18-years-old, Wood is one of the most intriguing and polarizing players available in the draft. He has the allure of his size, standing at 6’4 and nearly 200 pounds. With his frame and skillset, he projects to be the next imposing power forward in the league. He has the potential to be a first-line winger and key power play contributor.
What stands out about Wood’s game is his hands. For being so tall, he makes plays with the puck effortlessly. He has an incredible touch on his passes and was frequently setting up his UCONN teammates. His playmaking set up 23 goals in 35 games during his freshman season to lead his team in both assists and points.
He also possesses a cannon of a shot. While he hasn't quite learned to impose his will using his size, he has learned to leverage his size to increase the velocity of his shot. He has been a terror in the offensive zone this past season, letting his shot fly for 11 goals, which ranked tied for third on the Huskies. Combine that with a sky high IQ in the offensive zone, and he frequently finds the soft spots in coverage to get open and use his best offensive asset.
What Needs to Improve
As for any prospect at this stature, the key thing to improve his skating. It takes Wood a while to get going, and there were several instances this past season where defenders were able to cancel an odd man rush because Wood couldn’t separate from the defense. Focusing on his initial strides should help with that as well. The skating should improve as he develops and with the assistance of an NHL strength and conditioning coach.
The other aspect of his game that needs work is being physical. For his size, he tends to shy away from physical play and would rather make a play with the puck than get to the dirty areas. He's shown improvements in his strength and physicality at the NCAA level compared to what he showed at the BCHL level, but there is further work to be done. He must learn to use his size to his advantage and compliment his highly skilled arsenal, rather than shy away from that.
NHL Player Comparison: Rick Nash
NHL ETA: 2024-25
Wood has the skill set and physical traits to be a top-10 player and I expect him to be taken before the Penguins make their selection. His skating will hinder him from making an immediate jump to the NHL, but he’s not far away. If he dominates at the NCAA level again this upcoming season, he will most likely be in an NHL uniform to begin the 2024-25 season, but to be safe he will definitely be here by 2025.
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