Matthew Wood Signs Three-Year Contract with Predators

Matthew Wood has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Nashville Predators, marking his transition to professional hockey after one season with the University of Minnesota. The 20-year-old forward, who was selected 15th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, completed his collegiate season with 39 points (17 goals, 22 assists) and earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors. Wood's contract comes after the Gophers' unexpected loss in the NCAA Tournament, making him the fourth player from Minnesota's roster to sign an NHL contract following the season's end. He recorded a total of 101 points (44 goals, 57 assists) over his NCAA career, which included two seasons at UConn. The Predators expect Wood to report to the team shortly, providing him a chance to showcase his skills at the NHL level. Despite some concerns regarding his speed and skating, Wood's size and skill set have drawn positive attention from scouts.