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Nashville Predators sign 2023 first-round pick Matthew Wood to three-year contract
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- Nashville Predators sign 2023 first-round pick Matthew Wood to three-year contract
The Nashville Predators have signed former first-round pick Matthew Wood to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced Saturday.
Wood was the Predators ' selection at No. 15 in the 2023 NHL Draft, which was held at Bridgestone Arena. The Lethbridge, Alberta, native was enrolled at the UConn when drafted, then transferred to Minnesota for the 2024-25 season.
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The Gophers' season ended Thursday with an overtime loss to UMass, ending Wood's season and opening up the opportunity for him to turn professional. The expectation now is for Wood to report to Nashville to join the team in the coming days.
Wood, 20, is a 6-foot-4, 205-pound center with an enticing mix of size and skill. During 109 NCAA games, he scored 44 goals and 57 assists for the Huskies and Gophers. His shooting and playmaking talent in the middle of the ice should earn him a chance at NHL minutes, though most scouts say his speed and skating need some work.
MORE: Meet Nashville Predators top NHL Draft pick Matthew Wood: Everything to know
The Predators' other first-round pick in 2023, defenseman Tanner Molendyk , already has signed his entry-level contract. He can turn professional once his season with the Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) ends.
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Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@gannett.com . Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1 . Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds .
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Predators sign 2023 first-round pick Matthew Wood to 3-year contract
