Training Camp Conversations: FEATURING Matthew Wood

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Sometimes the most interesting storylines at training camp happen when the microphones are on and the skates are off.
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On today's show, we're going to have one of those conversations as we're joined by Predators Forward Matthew Wood.
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Every game tells two stories.
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The one everyone hates, and the one that happens behind the scenes.
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Welcome to Second Intermission with Ann Pimmel.
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McFarland is filling out the demographic that was previously looped and to Lisa and some couple weeks.
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From inside the natural predator's locker room to the Milwaukee Admirals and around the NHL, you'll find thoughtful analysis, real conversations, and the stories online as well.
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This could be one of the best deals they've done in years.
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Whether this is your first season watching hockey or you've lived and breathed the game for decades, there's a sleep for you here.
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This is second intermission.
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Let's drop the flop.
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And I have to tell you, the conversations at training camp have been almost as exciting as watching the line combinations and drills.
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On today's episode, I'm going to share some of those conversations with you.
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We're going to welcome Matthew Wood to the podcast, and I'm going to share with you some very interesting comments made by veteran Jonathan Marchisot as well.
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Before we dive into these great conversations, I want to let you know today's episode is brought to you by Homewell Care Services.
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Does someone you love need some extra help at home?
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Their caregivers help with bathing, dressing, meals, light housekeeping, and rides to appointments.
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Call Homewell today to talk about care for yourself or someone you love at 615-622-9360.
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Well, as I said, there have been some fascinating conversations that have happened at and around training camp this week.
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And I'm pretty excited to share some of what we heard with you.
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To kick off the show, we are going to welcome Matthew Wood to the podcast.
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Matthew Wood played 71 NHL games last season.
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He recorded 17 goals and 30 points.
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There is plenty to like about his potential as we look ahead to the regular season.
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Matthew joined me to talk about his first full NHL season, what he is learning from the veterans in the locker room.
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And he shares the one thing about his job that does sometimes make him nervous.
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And it is not going to be what you think.
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I am joined now by the 15th overall pick in the 2023 draft, Nashville Predators Forward, Matthew Wood, who has currently 77 career NHL games under his belt.
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I suspect there are more coming as well.
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Matthew, so so appreciative of your time.
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I know you've got a lot going on right now with uh training camp and everything.
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So thank you so much for coming on and chatting with me.
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Yeah, no problem.
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Thanks for having me.
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I always like to start with a stat, a story, or a question.
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For you, I just want to ask you a question.
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Going back to 2023, you were drafted here in Nashville.
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What do you remember most about that draft night?
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Yeah, it was obviously in a dream come true, like to get drafted to the NHL.
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And um, I think getting drafted by Nashville in Nashville was a really, you know, unbelievable experience that it was not even, you know, I didn't even have that on on my radar of being drafted to the home city of the draft.
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And it was just um, like I said, dream come true.
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Glad that I was able to share with my family and um glad that I was able to go to such a great, great team and great city.
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Had you been to Nashville before, or was that your first visit here?
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That was my first visit.
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I was just in town for those couple days leading up to the draft and then um ended up getting picked and staying for development camp and got to um see a little bit around the city and stuff.
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And it was uh, you know, I was so happy to be like I I think it's an unbelievable place to play hockey and um it's so fun.
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Well, we're glad to have you in Nashville, I will say that.
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I wanted to ask you about your development choices.
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What went into the decision to take the NCAA route for you?
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Um, yeah, I think I just wanted to try to have a little bit more time in the gym and um working on my game off the ice.
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And the fewer games in college allowed me to do that uh compared to major junior.
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And um, you know, that was kind of my biggest dis like deciding factor, and also playing against um older and stronger competition.
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I felt like it prepared me more uh to make the jump to the next level.
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So those two um kind of went hand in hand, and um that those ultimately led to to my decision.
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When you started in the NCAA at UConn, you were the youngest Division I player that was out there, and yet you finished the season absolutely excellent.
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And if you look at your statistics, I always say statistics tell the truth unless they're lying.
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But if you look at your statistics, your statistics at the NCAA level, excellent when you took that step when you went to University of Minnesota, the same thing.
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And then when you stepped into the NHL, your statistics tell a story that you have always been ready to take the next step, that you've always kind of hit the next level at the right time.
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Does it feel like that to you?
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Yeah, I definitely feel when I try to put myself in a position, I'm as prepared as I can be and um go into it with uh you know nothing to lose.
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And um I mean, I every single time that I'm you know trying, I always have goals that I want to hit and I try to focus on those uh quite a bit throughout the summer and throughout the season to try to um put myself in the best position that I can put myself in and help my team.
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And um I mean I I just enjoy trying to improve my game and improve um you know all aspects of my life, try to um just become, you know, a better person every day.
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And uh I think that is a big motivator for me and it's been it's been working.
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Yeah.
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When you look back at this past season, 71 NHL games, what do you feel like steadily improved over the course of last season in your game?
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Um yeah, I think it was you know a great um learning learning experience first year for me.
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And um, I had a lot of fun and learning uh you know how the NHL works.
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You know, you have to come to the rink and take care of your body away from the rink every day.
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And um, I mean, it was so much fun.
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I think we had such a tight group of guys, and um, you know, our leadership group really helped all the younger guys out.
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And um, I think that's why you know we we had that really good push at the end of the season.
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Um, all the credit I would give to the older guys who kept everyone in it and showed and led by example.
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And um I think I I learned about everything and um just tried to you know soak in as much information as I can um and use that to uh you know affect all my training throughout the summer and come to camp and and for the season ready.
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We got a chance today at training camp to talk with Jonathan Marchisau when we were having a conversation with him about veterans working with younger players, and he actually used you as an example.
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He said that when you first came in, you were really, really quiet.
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But he said he kind of started giving you a little bit of sass.
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And he did say that by the end you were giving some sass back.
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So, like, what is your what is your smack talk level with the veterans?
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Um, I mean, everyone, everyone likes to joke around and um it's all in good fun.
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Uh everyone is, you know, that's I think the great part about our or especially our veteran group is everyone treats everyone as equals and no one's above anything.
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So everyone likes to um, you know, joke around and have fun with each other, and um maybe coming in as a little bit quieter and and nervous, and uh I think everyone's made me feel really comfortable and I'm I'm grateful to have such great teammates to you know welcome me.
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And I think everyone welcomes um all the younger guys, all the new guys, whether they're young or old, and everyone feels really comfortable here, and it's a great place to play.
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That's great, especially with all of the new faces and the young players that are that are here this season.
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I think that's gonna be huge.
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We always talk to players, we ask a lot about game day routines, but I'm curious what post-game looked like for you because 71 NHL games, that's a lot of hockey.
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Did you sort of figure out over the course of the season what worked best for you when it comes to you know came to things like recovery?
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Um, yeah, it was uh I think it was that that was a big learning process for me.
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And um like I'd say at the start of the year, I kind of was trying everything out and seeing what worked for me, and ended up towards the end of the year finding a routine that worked for me.
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And I think that's what um a lot of the older guys do, and I learned from them.
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And um, it's not about you know one specific thing that works, it's you gotta find what works personally for you.
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And um, I think that was uh a big big help when I found my my routine near the end of the season there, and um just try to you gotta keep your body in really good condition because you know no matter what happens, win or lose, you gotta come back the next day and do it again.
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And um, you know, that's the beauty of of hockey is there's all next game in a day or two, and um, so there's always another opportunity to you know bring your best.
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You mentioned over the course of the season that you had started working with a mental skills coach.
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What can you tell me about that?
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What you get out of that, and what is sort of the process?
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Yeah, I started working with uh my mental skills coach, Steven, when I was 15, and um I was struggling uh at the junior level.
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Um and I think you know, I've just ever since then been building my game uh on and off the ice and and with him, and um, you know, there's there's tons of different little things that you know he's helped me with along the way.
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And um, you know, at the start when I was younger, I was uh a little bit timid.
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And when I was playing against older and bigger guys, I was a little bit scared and just kind of started off with getting you know that out of my head and um ended up to you know more recently just um trying to focus on you know bringing the best that I can every every single day.
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And um, you know, I think it's a really important part of the game because everyone's always looking to get one percent better.
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And if you can, you know, have that little extra bit of focus on on that one play or on that one day, it's gonna make a big difference in the end.
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You mentioned playing with some older players and veteran players, you know, so far in camp, we've seen you spend some time with Philip Forsberg.
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What do you like about that opportunity?
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And what are sort of your own personal expectations when it comes to this upcoming season?
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Yeah, obviously, um, you know, I'm trying to do my best at camp, and it's been, you know, great getting some reps in with Phil and all the other guys.
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And uh, I mean, we have some really big names on our team, you know, O'Reilly, Stam Kos, Marshus, Yossi, and you know, everyone else.
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It's it's really uh, you know, there's a lot of great players to play with, even, you know, all the new guys, all the young guys.
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It's I really enjoy playing with everyone.
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And um, you know, I'm just looking forward to you know showing my best and continuing to have a strong camp.
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And um, you know, I'm really looking forward to trying to improve on my on my next season.
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And, you know, I put in a lot of work this summer to you know improve the things that I thought I needed to improve on.
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And um I'm really uh hoping to improve personally and as a team, and I think our team's you know looking great and everyone's excited for the season and uh it's gonna be a fun season for sure.
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Yeah, there's a lot of energy, it seems like already at training camp.
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It's really fun to watch and be around.
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To wrap this up, I just want to ask you five quick questions.
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These are like so easy questions, but just kind of to know a little bit more about you.
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You told me something in the middle of the season, and I have to tell you, Matthew, this this has stuck with me.
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You said you just don't get nervous to play hockey.
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So I'm curious, what is something that does make you nervous?
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Uh I would probably say I don't really like flying.
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I think that's a personal thing.
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It's so legit.
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It's so legit.
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I definitely I'm more nervous after the game and get on the plane.
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So I respect that.
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I respect that.
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Is there a significance to the number 71?
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I know you wore that at you know in college as well.
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Is there something specific about that?
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Uh well, I grew up uh with my favorite player being Evgeny Malkin, and uh I always loved the number 71.
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Um, so I I really loved watching him and tried to model my game after him.
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So uh that's the reason.
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That's that is very honorable.
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Um, did you watch the NHL playoffs?
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Yes, I watched.
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I can't say I watched every single game, but I was definitely watching for sure.
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Yeah, I always wonder if you all need a fast or if you're like, nope, I still want to keep watching.
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Well, yeah, like you don't want to watch, and then you end up getting, you know, really interested and watching and trying to um I mean, you try I guess to not get upset that you're not there, but it's it is fun to watch at the end of the day.
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Yeah.
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What was your favorite class that you took in college?
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Oh, that's a good question.
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Um I would probably have to say I took one French class where I mean that I would probably say I learned a lot.
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I don't remember any of it now, but I remember when I was in the class, I was like, hey, like I'm kind of getting this.
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But that's amazing.
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Now it's all gone.
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It's all gone.
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Yeah.
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The last question, and this is something I wanted to talk to you about hockey, of course, but I really wanted to talk to you about this.
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What can you tell us about your dogs who are adorable?
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Yeah.
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Um, I have two dogs uh living with uh me and my girlfriend now, Jasper and Rocky, and then my family dog at home, Brady.
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Um, and Brady usually doesn't like other dogs, but he became friends with with the other two this year.
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Nice right here.
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He doesn't like to leave my side.
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So what kind of dogs are they?
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Uh they're Australian Labradoodle minis.
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So Australian Shepherd and Labradoodle mini.
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So they're smart, is what you're doing.
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Sometimes they're smart, they're definitely energetic, but they're definitely they're definitely fun to be around.
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So they are so fun to to watch.
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I always appreciate your dog content when you post it.
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So thank you for sharing about your dogs.
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No, thank you so much for your time, Matthew.
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Really excited about this upcoming season.
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Excited to see what it holds for you and for the predators.
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And again, I just really appreciate your time.
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Yeah, thank you so much.
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I really appreciate it.
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It was certainly great to get an opportunity to talk with Matthew Wood.
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It was also very cool to get a chance to meet his dogs.
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Uh, Matthew Wood is going to be a player that you're gonna want to keep your eye on.
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A lot of discussion about him already in training camp.
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Matthew Wood finished last season uh playing center for the predators.
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It was something that he really enjoyed and had some success at as well.
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And it impressed Andrew Brunett.
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Going into this preseason, we weren't really sure what to expect about a role for Matthew Wood as far as center or wing, because again, Chris McFarland brought in a lot of players to kind of fill out down the middle.
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But what we're seeing so far in training camp is that Matthew Wood does have an opportunity to play center.
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Uh, he has been playing a lot of ice time with Philip Forces, which is something to definitely keep your eye on.
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Andrew Brunett talked about Matthew Wood playing center.
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He said he really likes giving him that opportunity.
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He was very impressed with what he did with it last season.
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And he's gonna kind of wait and see how it sorts out.
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But also, Brunett said, look, if he's not playing center, I'm super comfortable with what he does on the wing as well.
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So Wood is gonna be a player to definitely watch uh through this preseason in some of these upcoming home preseason games, but also at the beginning of the season.
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I think Matthew Wood could be one of the players that really takes another step forward in his development, which is something that the predators are going to need this season.
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Now, another conversation that we had at training camp that had all of us in the media talking the moment it ended was a great conversation with Jonathan Marchisot.
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Of course, Marchisot had a rough season last year.
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He's coming off of his worst full NHL season, in which he scored just 12 goals in 62 games.
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Talking with Jonathan Marchisot is always an interesting experience because Marchisot just says the things.
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And this conversation we had with him at training camp was no exception.
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He talked about how he felt about Chris McFarland coming on.
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He talked about his season last year, he talked about what looks different going forward this season.
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One of the things that we heard from him at the end of last season at Locker Room Clean out is he talked about not being in a good headspace.
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And so he was asked about that.
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How are you feeling coming into this season?
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And what maybe has gotten you to a better place?
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This is just a part of what Jonathan Marchisot had to say.
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You never expect to have a bad year like I had last year.
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So uh everything was really new to me.
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I could have just kept going and say that's a fluke or something like that.
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But this summer I just took a different approach.
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I changed workout, I changed trainer, I changed everything.
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So uh and I definitely improved uh my workouts and my uh dedication to my professionalism.
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So I think it translates to how I feel on the ice uh this year so far.
00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:52.000
And I mean I tell myself like I can't be worse than last year, so it's only up that I can go now.
00:20:52.160 --> 00:20:58.720
So uh so yeah, I've uh obviously I'm part of the unsuccess.
00:20:58.880 --> 00:21:04.400
Well, we did we had a decent success last year, but like the four-point difference of making the playoffs.
00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:12.480
Sometimes it's one guy that makes more better plays and can contribute to a win or two or three or more and makes you in the playoffs.
00:21:12.559 --> 00:21:17.920
So yeah, I think some of that is uh towards me and I take accountability to that.
00:21:18.079 --> 00:21:26.720
But this year I want to make sure that I can help my team and and help uh the production to to be good on and off the ice.
00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:35.119
So when we got done having this conversation with Jonathan Marchisau, we all kind of looked at each other and said, that was a great conversation.
00:21:35.680 --> 00:21:48.720
I love that he spoke about his last season, shared with us, here are things that I am doing differently to come into the season, different, taking accountability for the struggle that he had last year.
00:21:49.039 --> 00:21:59.599
But what really stood out in all of the conversation that we had with Marchot is that he really is coming into the season with what feels like a little bit of a different.
00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:00.720
Vibe.
00:22:00.880 --> 00:22:11.759
And I think that there are a couple of things that are helping him maybe get back on the ice feeling more fresh, feeling more optimistic.
00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:15.279
One of the things is the addition of Maverick Bork.
00:22:15.680 --> 00:22:19.200
We talked with Maverick Bork this week as well at training camp.
00:22:19.359 --> 00:22:23.279
And he was saying that Marchisot is the player that's sort of taken him under his wing.
00:22:23.359 --> 00:22:27.920
He's had him over, they've spent a lot of time talking, they've been on the ice together.
00:22:28.160 --> 00:22:31.599
And that was something that was really um important to Maverick Bork.
00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:34.640
But also we asked Marchisot about that.
00:22:34.880 --> 00:22:39.119
And Marchisot's reply was very Jonathan Marchisot.
00:22:39.200 --> 00:22:43.359
He said, you know, as a veteran, you have two choices.
00:22:43.680 --> 00:22:47.920
You can be an a-hole to the young players, that's roughly translated.
00:22:48.400 --> 00:22:53.200
Or you can be a guy who takes them under your wing and welcomes them in.
00:22:53.519 --> 00:22:58.559
And he said, I remember the guys who were the a-holes to me.
00:22:58.720 --> 00:23:02.240
And I remember the guys who invested in me.
00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:06.079
And he is paying that forward with Maverick Bork.
00:23:06.480 --> 00:23:09.119
And you're seeing that chemistry on the ice.
00:23:09.279 --> 00:23:13.519
We talked about Forbesburg and Wood being a pairing we saw a lot of.
00:23:13.680 --> 00:23:16.559
We've seen a lot of Marchot and Maverick Bork.
00:23:16.720 --> 00:23:29.039
So keep your eye on that as these preseason games happen and as training camp continues to go on, because that is a pairing that we may see opening night if it continues.
00:23:29.279 --> 00:23:36.400
So the addition of Maverick Bork and building that relationship, I think, has been energizing for March Sow.
00:23:37.119 --> 00:23:48.000
The other thing that I think really changes his perspective, and this is something that we heard across the board from veterans and young players.
00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:56.720
The hiring of Chris McFarland has really changed a lot when it comes to how this locker room feels.
00:23:57.119 --> 00:24:06.400
Marchisot said the way he heard the news about McFarland is his agent called him, and his agent said, You are not going to believe who Nashville just hired.
00:24:06.799 --> 00:24:23.680
Marchisot, Stamcos, Yossi, Ryan O'Reilly, all of these veterans talked about what it meant to them to have Chris McFarland become the general manager and president of Hockey Ops and take over the reins here in Nashville.
00:24:24.640 --> 00:24:33.759
They have mad respect for this guy because Chris McFarland comes in with a resume that has done the things.
00:24:34.000 --> 00:24:36.160
And that means something to these players.
00:24:36.240 --> 00:24:40.559
And I think they feel like there is a clear vision, there is a clear plan.
00:24:40.880 --> 00:24:43.359
They've seen the moves that he has done.
00:24:43.599 --> 00:24:52.640
And here's what's real the players all said how much they're going to miss Luca Evangelista, that they love what he brought on the ice, that they were great friends with him off the ice.
00:24:52.880 --> 00:24:56.559
But they all said, We trust Chris McFarland.
00:24:57.200 --> 00:24:59.920
They know who he is, they know what he's done.
00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:08.079
And trust was the word that we heard over and over again from players so far at training camp when it comes to Chris McFarland doing the things.
00:25:08.160 --> 00:25:17.119
When Chris McFarland, Chris McFarland's, these players are going to say, okay, they believe that this team has gotten better with the additions he's already made.
00:25:17.279 --> 00:25:25.200
They know that he'll probably make some more additions, but there's not this false sense of, well, we're contenders now.
00:25:25.359 --> 00:25:30.559
Like I think Chris McFarland has a very accurate idea of where this team is.
00:25:30.799 --> 00:25:34.720
I think this team has an accurate picture of where they are.
00:25:34.960 --> 00:25:38.960
They believe, again, they have gotten better this offseason.
00:25:39.279 --> 00:25:47.680
And they realize, look, we're going to need some things to really break our way for us to be competitive and make the playoffs in the central.
00:25:47.920 --> 00:25:54.400
But there is a new hope and a new vision that I think is going to translate on the ice.
00:25:54.559 --> 00:26:00.960
So these are things behind the scenes that may impact what we see on the ice.
00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:06.559
We did get a chance to talk with Chris McFarland, a couple of things that he shared with us of note.
00:26:06.880 --> 00:26:11.680
He said that there are realistically probably four or five open roster spots.
00:26:11.839 --> 00:26:19.680
So they are taking a look at a lot of these young players, these kind of players on the bubble and evaluating them.
00:26:20.160 --> 00:26:39.440
There are some, again, pairings that we're seeing pretty often in training camp, in on the ice, in practices, but there are a lot of opportunities here, and they're trying to sort of put together these new players and young players and veterans.
00:26:39.680 --> 00:26:43.119
So the work is still happening.
00:26:43.200 --> 00:26:46.880
And remember, the work is happening in a shortened off-season.
00:26:46.960 --> 00:26:50.000
There's about a week less of off-season.
00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:54.079
And of course, there are only four preseason games as well.
00:26:54.240 --> 00:26:57.440
So all of this is happening in a condensed period of time.
00:26:57.599 --> 00:27:00.079
So there is a challenge here for Andrew Brunett.
00:27:00.160 --> 00:27:02.480
There is a challenge here for these veterans.
00:27:02.640 --> 00:27:08.319
But the message to them from Chris McFarland is do not dip your toe in the water.
00:27:08.640 --> 00:27:10.400
Get out there and get after it.
00:27:10.559 --> 00:27:13.680
You know, you were drafted into the NHL for a reason.
00:27:13.839 --> 00:27:16.960
Go out on the ice and show us what that reason is.
00:27:17.039 --> 00:27:18.319
Don't be tentative.
00:27:18.720 --> 00:27:21.359
And that is a message for the entire team.
00:27:21.440 --> 00:27:32.079
And it really points to one of the things, again, in the conversations that we heard over and over again, from coach to general manager to veterans to young players.
00:27:32.319 --> 00:27:35.759
And that has to do with getting off to a strong start.
00:27:35.920 --> 00:27:40.960
Friends, this is something the Predators have not been able to do under Andrew Brunett.
00:27:41.119 --> 00:27:50.720
And Chris McFarland was clear: you cannot finish October six or eight points out of a spot in the central division and claw your way back in.
00:27:50.880 --> 00:27:54.000
So the focus is getting off to good starts.
00:27:54.319 --> 00:27:59.279
It is incorporating these new players that McFarland's brought in into the lineup.
00:27:59.440 --> 00:28:03.039
Also, Andrew Brunett is making some adjustments to his system.
00:28:03.440 --> 00:28:07.359
So the veterans are also having to work on some new things.
00:28:07.519 --> 00:28:12.079
There is a lot going on at training camp, a lot more to come at training camp.
00:28:12.160 --> 00:28:21.839
And we're going to get a better picture of where this team is at and how these changes are working their way into the lineup as the preseason games unfold.
00:28:22.079 --> 00:28:27.519
Coming up this week, Tuesday, the Predators will have their first home preseason game.
00:28:27.599 --> 00:28:29.839
They're going to host Tampa Bay Lightning at 7 p.m.
00:28:29.920 --> 00:28:31.200
at Bridgestone Arena.
00:28:31.359 --> 00:28:34.559
Thursday, Preds are on the road in Carolina.
00:28:34.640 --> 00:28:35.759
That's a 6 p.m.
00:28:35.920 --> 00:28:37.680
Central Time puck drop.
00:28:37.839 --> 00:28:42.720
And then Saturday afternoon hockey, Carolina is going to come here to Nashville.
00:28:42.880 --> 00:28:46.079
The Preds will host the Hurricanes at 2 p.m.
00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:48.000
at Bridgestone Arena.
00:28:48.160 --> 00:29:01.839
I am sure we are going to have a lot more interesting conversations happening at training camp as Andrew Brunett and Chris McFarland continue to make decisions about this team, moving through the preseason.
00:29:02.000 --> 00:29:04.480
Of course, stay tuned here at Second Intermission.
00:29:04.640 --> 00:29:08.480
I will be bringing you all of those conversations as they happen.
00:29:08.720 --> 00:29:13.119
You can find the podcast, of course, anywhere you get your favorite audio podcast.
00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:16.240
You can like and subscribe to the podcast on YouTube.
00:29:16.799 --> 00:29:27.680
You can also find my written work at ankimel.substack.com where I will keep you updated on everything that's happening at training camp again this week.
00:29:27.920 --> 00:29:30.480
That is going to do it for today's podcast.
00:29:30.640 --> 00:29:39.200
I hope that you found something at Second Intermission today that made you think, made you laugh, or just helped you enjoy hockey a little bit more.
00:29:39.359 --> 00:29:43.440
Take care, and I'm going to see you at the next Second Intermission.
00:29:47.839 --> 00:29:51.279
That's going to do it for this edition of Second Intermission.
00:29:51.599 --> 00:29:59.119
If you enjoyed today's conversation, be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and watch full episodes on YouTube.
00:30:00.000 --> 00:30:06.559
For more coverage, behind the scenes moments, and the latest from around the break, follow me on social media.
00:30:06.720 --> 00:30:08.880
Thanks for spending part of your day with us.
00:30:09.119 --> 00:30:13.839
Until next time, we'll save you a sick for the next second.