In the early stages of what appears to be another ugly season for the Nashville Predators, forward Matthew Wood is offering the team’s fans at least one reason for excitement.

The 2023 first-round pick is making an early offensive impact on the NHL level, something many of his fellow top selections in the Nashville organization have failed to do in recent years.

Wood made his latest statement Monday night in the Predators’ 6-3 loss to the New York Rangers, becoming just the second rookie in franchise history to record a hat trick.

Blake Geoffrion was the first, as he posted a three-goal game against Buffalo in 2011.

In addition, Wood became the NHL’s first rookie of the 2025-26 season to register a hat trick.

“Yeah, obviously a tough game, but I think we battled in the third [period],” Wood said on FanDuel Sports. “Obviously it’s a special moment [to record the hat trick], and I’m kind of speechless about that. But it was a good third period and a good battle.”

In just 11 games on the NHL level this season, Wood has already totaled 10 points (six goals, four assists). His six goals are tied for the most by any rookie in 2025-26, and his point total is tied for fourth best among league rookies.

Those numbers are especially impressive considering Wood plays for an offensively challenged Predators team averaging 2.56 goals per game, third lowest in the NHL.

Nashville (5-9-4) has also lost five straight contests and is 1-6-2 in its last nine games.

“I think not trying to think too much is something [that’s helped] me,” Wood said. “I’ve worked my whole life to be able to play my game … Obviously this is the highest level, so it’s fun to play with great players and just go out there and have fun, give my best effort.”

The 20-year-old Wood, picked 15th overall in 2023, made his NHL debut last season after playing three years of NCAA hockey — two seasons at Connecticut and one at Minnesota. He totaled one assist for Nashville in six contests in 2024-25.

But Wood’s production this season has differentiated him from a number of the Preds’ top recent picks.

The 21-year-old Joakim Kemell (2022 first-round pick) has played just four NHL games to date and has yet to record a point. Center Fedor Svechkov (2021 first-round pick) debuted in the NHL last season with 17 points (eight goals, nine assists) in 52 contests, but the 22-year-old has just one point (an assist) in 16 games this season.

Forward Zach L’Heureux (2021 first-round pick) made his NHL debut last season, but the 22-year-old totaled 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) in 62 games.

Previous high-round picks like goalie Yaroslav Askarov (2020 first-round pick), forward Philip Tomasino (2019 first-round pick) and forward Egor Afanasyev (2019 second-round pick) have been traded.

The only other Nashville high-round draft pick to provide immediate offense in recent years was forward Luke Evangelista (2020 second-round pick), who totaled 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in just 24 games after debuting in the NHL during the 2022-23 season.

Wood will try to continue his hot streak — and help the Predators change their fortunes — this week in Sweden.

Nashville will meet the Pittsburgh Penguins (9-5-3) on Friday and Sunday at Stockholm’s Avicii Arena as part of the NHL Global Series. Puck drop is 1 p.m. CT on Friday and 8 a.m. CT on Sunday.

“I think [Wood is] getting his confidence,” Preds coach Andrew Brunette told reporters. “He’s getting better every day. It’s fun to see him get a hat trick. I know it’s a tough night for the group, but hat tricks are always fun, especially for a young player.”