Predators’ Prospect Matthew Wood Eyes Transfer Options

Standout Nashville Predators prospect Matthew Wood announced his intention to enter the NCAA’s transfer portal last week. At just 19, the former UCONN Huskies forward has already proven himself to be a talented player in college hockey and a blue-chip prospect for the Preds and will look to further develop his skills by transferring away from Connecticut to a more talented and highly-ranked team.

Wood, who has already had an amazing collegiate career burst onto the scene during his freshman year which saw him become the first 17-year-old to play Division 1 Men’s Hockey since Ryan Poehling and Noah Hanifin. During his freshman campaign with Connecticut, he showcased his offensive talent by putting up 34 points in 35 games, ranking ninth in the NCAA in total points for a U19 player. 

Skillset Showcase

Looking at Wood’s playstyle and what he brings to the ice, it’s clear that he can impact the game in many ways. One of the biggest things that stands out when watching him play is his surprisingly advanced stickhandling skills. With his long reach combined with his stickhandling ability, he can shield the puck for extended stretches on the forecheck and against the boards, using his size to keep the puck away from opposing defenders. 

Playmaking and Improvement

There are instances where his playmaking ability stands out; he has moments where he shows a flash of brilliance dishing the puck. However, his playmaking tends to be predominantly ineffective, which is a major improvement point he must work on wherever he chooses to play next season. His rumored move to Minnesota might help this as they will have a much more talented roster as opposed to UCONN, and the Minnesota system puts a large emphasis on playmaking and passing as they ranked third in the BIG10 in total assists and assists per game this season. 

Shooting Prowess

Wood is a shoot-first player, sometimes opting for a low-threat shot that ends up being blocked rather than making a smarter, more advantageous pass. Even with that, when he attempts to be the playmaker on the ice and initiates the play, he often tries to overcomplicate things, resulting in unforced turnovers and breakaways. If he can focus on improving his vision and playmaking decisions, that would greatly benefit him, as he does possess the skill and creativity needed to create space and opportunities for himself and his teammates but sometimes lacks the decision-making and decisiveness to accomplish that.