The recent developments regarding more Canadians being eligible to play in the NCAA could be changing things. Maybe in the past they weren't that worried when a few of their players went the NCAA route but now that it could be more they could be taking a stance.
I find it interesting that Wood was a good fit as an 18 year old last year but now this year as a 19 years old he isn't a good fit.
Obviously none of us know but I definitely think it is fair to wonder because it doesn't really add up.
Canada isn't going to risk losing a tournament they actually care about over the NCAAs. You guys need to lay off the weed...
Canada isn't going to risk losing a tournament they actually care about over the NCAAs. You guys need to lay off the weed...
it takes much more than weed to connect these lines
The real question...any chance wood is back in Dinkytown for tonight's game?
The real question...any chance wood is back in Dinkytown for tonight's game?
Bob joked that if the plane works he will be here for tonights game.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
so 3 Weeks off now to get injured players recovered and the team will be ready to win a few games and get ready for a national championship! 😎
Aloha!
so 2 Weeks off now to get injured players recovered and the team will be ready to win a few games and get ready for a national championship! 😎
That sounds like a good plan
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
It's nearly 3 full weeks off not just 2.
Scott Wheeler's evaluation of Matthew Wood at Canada's camp.
https://twitter.com/scottcwheeler/status/1867928233066602563
F Matthew Wood (Nashville Predators): Wood has been a very productive college player across three seasons (not just for his age but leading his teams), was a top scorer for Canada at U18 worlds, and even had some nice moments after starting as kind of a 12th/13th forward on last year’s World Junior team. He’s got a pretty unique profile with his combination of shooting, skill, length, power-play value and ability to play both wings. But his lack of pace was really noticeable this week and I think put him in the small group of returnees who weren’t locks coming in. I thought he looked slow in camp, and he doesn’t play super sturdy or hard either (even when he tries to). He nearly handcuffed Ratzlaff off the rush in the first game and then scored the game-winning 2-1 goal on the power play in the second game but he was also just OK otherwise and the goal was too little too late. You could see on his face postgame that he knew, too.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
So he was a good enough skater to be on the World Junior team last year as an 18 years old scoring 2 goals and 2 assists (was +3) in the 5 Canadian games yet this season as a 19 years old isn't a good enough skater. 🤔
So he was a good enough skater to be on the World Junior team last year as an 18 years old scoring 2 goals and 2 assists (was +3) in the 5 Canadian games yet this season as a 19 years old isn't a good enough skater. 🤔
While I think the guy is a great college hockey player, I do wonder if he skates well enough for NHL. He could learn to use his size better too. To bad Jackson Nelson isn't around to show him.) I think a summer with Andy Ness and one more year of college is the answer. Not many first rounders would consider staying another year, but I think it is a good reason to stay another year. That and trying to win back-to-back NC's.
I would presume it also depends on who is available this year v. last year. Coaches would make a difference, too. I have no idea how the team was selected so it’s all a WAG. 😉
I am not surprised on the lack of pace comment, I actually commented on that to someone after Saturday’s game. If/When he improves his skating, so it’s on par or at least close to his other skills, he’ll be a force. Given his age it will come.
“When your best friend is the son of God, you get tired of losing every argument.”
― Christopher Moore, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
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I would presume it also depends on who is available this year v. last year. Coaches would make a difference, too. I have no idea how the team was selected so it’s all a WAG. 😉
I am not surprised on the lack of pace comment, I actually commented on that to someone after Saturday’s game. If/When he improves his skating, so it’s on par or at least close to his other skills, he’ll be a force. Given his age it will come.
I read one article that said Canada was trying to build a team based on speed this year at all lines.
And not all kids his age are necessarily improving their skating just by getting older. It may be he added inches late and is still learning to deal with the tall frame. But some of it is just natural ability and some is technique. He doesn't look smooth (actually looks to be moving very slowly, but then you realize he is actually going about the same speed as a guy he's trying to catch) in his stride, and a skating coach can help improve that.
Wood has produced well here, but I am probably in the minority in that I am not a huge fan of his game. I agree with Wheeler's analysis and have noticed these concerns as well. He plays very soft for his size, and sometimes he is a little too patient (lackadaisical) with the puck leading to defenders closing in on him which more often than not results in turnovers. But like I said, he has produced well here and of course if he was a polished product he's probably already be playing pro. Hopefully he can take the next steps in his development, he's not far off. If he could learn to play with Ziemer's motor, he would be an absolute beast.
He plays very soft for his size, and sometimes he is a little too patient (lackadaisical) with the puck leading to defenders closing in on him which more often than not results in turnovers.
One of the advantages of going to the games is that you can follow players throughout their entire shifts. I agree 100% that he plays a soft game for his size. If he played baseball, he'd hit home runs like Joe-Mauer.
That said, he has great hands for a big man and I like this part of his game. He needs to start pushing people off pucks, make quicker decisions, and work on his skating.
His skating and physical play are holding him back from the next level right now.
He plays very soft for his size, and sometimes he is a little too patient (lackadaisical) with the puck leading to defenders closing in on him which more often than not results in turnovers.
One of the advantages of going to the games is that you can follow players throughout their entire shifts. I agree 100% that he plays a soft game for his size. If he played baseball, he'd hit home runs like Joe-Mauer.
That said, he has great hands for a big man and I like this part of his game. He needs to start pushing people off pucks, make quicker decisions, and work on his skating.
His skating and physical play are holding him back from the next level right now.
agreed on all accounts.
keeping hoping he’ll take the Bjugstad heavy power forward role more seriously. A little less play making and a little more power to the net. That’s what he’ll be able to do at the next level. His hands and vision are great, he just needs to be doing that near the paint, not on the side boards or up the wall
physically I think he’s fine. Our team doesn’t hit a ton and he’s one of the forwards that actually will hit. I don’t think it’s in our teams game to play with those big hits but he does lay the body on the forecheck frequently
Can someone with more PP smarts than me explain the Gopher's PP Strategy the past two years?
It seems that the idea behind passing the puck backwards into the defensive zone is to get a skater up to full speed to enter the O-Zone. Kind of makes sense. However, the past couple of weekends I see the Gophers doing that play and then dumping the puck in the O-Zone and chasing it down. In my world, all that does is waste 10-15 seconds of the PP and doesn't really accomplish anything. Kind of frustrating when they have the puck movement skills and can't seem to put it over the line. Also seems like it might be time to try something different given recent results.
I also think Wood needs to plant himself in front of the net instead of being on the point for PP#1. He has the size to take on the Jaxson Nelson role, but doesn't seem to get put there. I have seen the "soft" comments of others, which makes sense, but just the size and ability to screen would seem helpful.
Can someone with more PP smarts than me explain the Gopher's PP Strategy the past two years?
It seems that the idea behind passing the puck backwards into the defensive zone is to get a skater up to full speed to enter the O-Zone. Kind of makes sense. However, the past couple of weekends I see the Gophers doing that play and then dumping the puck in the O-Zone and chasing it down. In my world, all that does is waste 10-15 seconds of the PP and doesn't really accomplish anything. Kind of frustrating when they have the puck movement skills and can't seem to put it over the line. Also seems like it might be time to try something different given recent results.
I also think Wood needs to plant himself in front of the net instead of being on the point for PP#1. He has the size to take on the Jaxson Nelson role, but doesn't seem to get put there. I have seen the "soft" comments of others, which makes sense, but just the size and ability to screen would seem helpful.
it’s twofold. You have your guy at full speed with defenders flat footed/deeper into their zone but stationary. If zone entry is there, they take it and establish zone>dumping puck in. If you have to dump it, you have speed established and the advantage to get to the puck first which allows you to get into zone. It’s a way around being forced to dump in the puck no matter what.
on the setup, they clearly think Woods passing from that slot is key. I’d rather he plays the bumper or the low spot where he can power move to the net. Haven’t seen it a ton here so far, but his shot at UConn was something people got excited about so that may be part of why they want him there.
Wood has produced well here, but I am probably in the minority in that I am not a huge fan of his game. I agree with Wheeler's analysis and have noticed these concerns as well. He plays very soft for his size, and sometimes he is a little too patient (lackadaisical) with the puck leading to defenders closing in on him which more often than not results in turnovers. But like I said, he has produced well here and of course if he was a polished product he's probably already be playing pro. Hopefully he can take the next steps in his development, he's not far off. If he could learn to play with Ziemer's motor, he would be an absolute beast.
Exactly. I feel like such a hater for saying it but I just don’t see it with Matthew Wood. His skating stands out especially. Now obviously he’s a point per game player so whether I “see it” or not doesn’t really matter I’ll take a point per game player every time.
But if his agent or Nashville’s GM (Barry Trotz) looks him in the eye after this season and tell him he’s ready for the NHL they’re straight up lying to him. Barry Trotz of all people should know how fast the pace of play is in the NHL having coached for as long as he did. Plus Wood was drafted after his frosh year at UConn so there’s no risk of losing his rights if your Nashville by letting him come back for a senior season. Seems like a win-win to me?
Wood has produced well here, but I am probably in the minority in that I am not a huge fan of his game. I agree with Wheeler's analysis and have noticed these concerns as well. He plays very soft for his size, and sometimes he is a little too patient (lackadaisical) with the puck leading to defenders closing in on him which more often than not results in turnovers. But like I said, he has produced well here and of course if he was a polished product he's probably already be playing pro. Hopefully he can take the next steps in his development, he's not far off. If he could learn to play with Ziemer's motor, he would be an absolute beast.
Exactly. I feel like such a hater for saying it but I just don’t see it with Matthew Wood. His skating stands out especially. Now obviously he’s a point per game player so whether I “see it” or not doesn’t really matter I’ll take a point per game player every time.
But if his agent or Nashville’s GM (Barry Trotz) looks him in the eye after this season and tell him he’s ready for the NHL they’re straight up lying to him. Barry Trotz of all people should know how fast the pace of play is in the NHL having coached for as long as he did. Plus Wood was drafted after his frosh year at UConn so there’s no risk of losing his rights if your Nashville by letting him come back for a senior season. Seems like a win-win to me?
You beat me to it.. his draft scenario is different because he is still only 19. They wouldn’t lose his rights if he plays his senior year. He is not ready for the NHL.
Absolutely not bashing on Wood. He has great tools for a college player. He is NOT Jaxon Nelson. I thought he might be filling that role when he came in given his age and size. I might be in the minority here but Jaxon was an extremely underrated player for large parts of his career. He has great hands, he is smart, big, and can shoot, great on the dot, (and can skate). Wood can do some of that. He is not the replacement I thought he would be. We don't need him to be though. He can do what he does and our team will be successful! Unfortunately last weekend our highly talented D guys either were worn out or sort of let down and with the rest of the team depleted it did not lead to success. This team is still fantastic top to bottom.
@mg-since-forever i personally think Nelson didn't move the puck like Wood can. He didn't have the hands in tight spaces either. Jaxon is missed but he had two great final seasons as an older player so it's hard to compare that to a younger Wood.
I think Wood and the team have a good chance to make a jump in the second half when guys come off the injury list.