MATTHEW WOOD

2025-05-12

Scout: Chris Collier

Skating:

Poor

- Has a lumbering skating stance and lacks speed, particularly for a winger.

- Prefers gliding while deking rather than handling the puck at full speed.

- Takes wide, looping turns when changing direction, which often delays his backchecking efforts.

+ Despite overall skating limitations, he is effective in the backcheck and demonstrates solid backward skating ability.

Passing/Handling:

Below Average

- Attempts too many weak passes, resulting in turnovers.

- Rarely makes the final, high-risk pass that leads to a goal; favors safer, possession-maintaining plays.

+ Good puck-handler, though his skating limits his effectiveness.

+ Recovers well from poorly placed passes (e.g., into his skates) and quickly corrals rebounds for shots.

+ Uses his size effectively to shield the puck and keep defenders at bay.

+ Strong backhand passer.

Shooting:

Good

~ Better as an instinctual shooter than a calculated one—quicker releases yield better results.

~ Ineffective as a transition shooter but dangerous when trailing the play.

~ Lacks power but compensates with a quick release and ability to shoot from unconventional angles.

- Hesitation leads to blocked or missed shots

+ Excels at smashing rebounds and deflecting pucks in front of the net.

+ Strong backhand shooter.

+ Frequently scores on one-timers with one knee on the ice, a signature move for Wood.

IQ (Vision, Anticipation, Panic/Poise):

Average

~ Prefers simple, safe passes over high-risk plays.

~ Willing to attempt cross-crease passes on the power play but avoids high-risk passes at even strength.

+ Excellent at drifting into soft spots behind a play or in transition for one-timer opportunities.

+ Strong net-front presence, though his lack of physicality (despite his size) could hinder him in the NHL.

+ Thrives on the power play, leveraging extra time and space to make decisive plays.

Forechecking:

Below Average/ Limited

- Lack of speed and agility severely limits his forechecking potential.

~ Likely best suited as an F3 on the forecheck.

+ Strong instincts for triggering his presses effectively.

Defense:

- Sheltered as an offensive winger thus far in his career.

- Skating and lack of physicality may expose him defensively against NHL-caliber opponents.

- Slow recovery from turnovers

+ Safe and positionally sound; rarely makes glaring mistakes.

+ Uses his size and reach to clog lanes, stick-check, and disrupt puck carriers.

+ Reliable in coverage, filling gaps when needed.

Best Asset:

Shot/ Size

Biggest Concern:

Lack of play-driving ability

Top Tier/Role Potential:

Fringe Tier 2 forward: 1st/2nd-line winger on PP1. Projection: 35G-35A with low hits/blocks but high shot volume.

Justification for Top Tier Assessment:

Wood’s shot and frame give him immediate offensive upside. If he improves his skating and learns to use his size, he could become a top-six PP specialist.

50th Percentile Tier/Role:

< Tier 3 forward: Middle-six winger on PP2. Projection: 25G-20A.

Justification for 50th Percentile Tier Assessment:

Even without significant improvement, his PP proficiency ensures a decent scoring floor. Could rotate between PP1 (as a secondary option or 4th forward) and PP2.

Stylistic Comparable:

James van Riemsdyk

Scouts Final Thoughts and Additional Stats/Info:

Wood is a high-floor, high-ceiling prospect. At 20, he’s already debuted for Nashville, showcasing a 6’4”, 205-lb frame he’s still growing into. His trajectory mirrors JVR’s: a goal-scoring, net-front PP specialist who may need defensive sheltering if his skating doesn’t progress.

Key concern: Even at his ceiling, he’ll likely be linemate-dependent. While not a play-driver, he excels alongside skilled teammates. Continued development could solidify his role as a top-six sniper.

Development Context: Nashville’s deep roster of veterans (e.g., Ryan O’Reilly, Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi, Steven Stamkos) provides an ideal environment for Wood to refine his game. Their leadership could accelerate his adaptation to the NHL.

Continued development could solidify his role as a top-six sniper, especially if he absorbs their two-way habits to mitigate defensive concerns.

Games Scouted:

End of 2025 NCAA Season and start of NHL career

2024-06-21

Scout: Jeremy Vercillo

Skating:

Skating is Wood's weakest asset. He's a bit of a stomper when he skates and lacks acceleration noticeable at the NCAA level. He's also not particularly strong on his feet for a big guy. The one positive is his straight line top speed is pretty good.

Passing/Handling:

Despite being a shoot-first player, Wood is a good passer who sees the ice well. He does sometimes try to do too much 1-on-1, but has soft hands and I think can learn to be more judicious with his stickhandling.

Shooting:

Elite. Wood has one of the best shots I've seen from a teenager. It's not Bedard or Matthews level, but it'll play in the NHL. His quick wrister/snapper coming in from the boards or on the rush is lethal and will beat NHL goalies.

IQ (Vision, Anticipation, Panic/Poise):

Average. As mentioned above, I think he over-stickhandles at time, which I guess is a lack of panic meter. He does show poise in corners and on zone entries/exits though, so I think this is a net positive for him.

Forechecking:

Above average. Wood definitely uses his size and reach to create turnovers. I wonder if there is more to be unlocked here with the right coach or scheme.

Defense:

Another area Wood is lacking. He can get beat by quick changes of direction and bumped off board battles.

Best Asset:

Shot. Definitely one of the best in recent draft classes.

Biggest Concern:

Skating -- but I think with the high-end shot and above average playmaking abilities the skating won't keep him out of the NHL forever.

Top Tier/Role Potential:

top line, 70-75 point sniper

Justification for Top Tier Assessment:

I don't think Wood has too high a ceiling, but with some improved skating and a good line he could put up top-line winger numbers.

50th Percentile Tier/Role:

Middle-6 30G/30A guy

Justification for 50th Percentile Tier Assessment:

While I think his skating will hold him back from being a truly elite play driver, I think he can find a middle-6 PP1 role on a team. His willingness to drive the net will suit him well to be the complement to a skilled center.

Stylistic Comparable:

Max Pacioretty

Scouts Final Thoughts and Additional Stats/Info:

I am VERY curious how his transfer from Connecticut to Minnesota for next year goes. He will likely have to fight to be a go-to guy on a much stronger Gophers team.

Games Scouted:

Various late-season hockey east games