Asked if he planned on saying hello to Malkin, introducing himself, Wood demurred.
“I’m just excited to be able to play against him,” Wood said. “If I see him out on the street or in the hotel, I’ll try to get a picture. Not going to force it.”
But he had started the process to get the jersey signed, at least.
“Every Canadian loves Crosby,” said the Nanaimo, British Columbia native. “And I loved hockey, so I loved Crosby. And then I always loved Malkin, he’s always been my favorite player. He’s just bigger and skilled and I kind of related to it.”
Wood, who is 6-foot-4 and 202 pounds, has spent the past few years learning how best to use his body, getting stronger and more ready for the NHL game. He has looked to Malkin, who is 6-foot-5 and 213 pounds, as a model.
“He’s an unbelievable playmaker,” Wood said. “I wish I could do everything that he does. I think his playmaking is incredible. Obviously, he’s an incredible goal-scorer as well, but I think his vision and his smarts are just so, so high level. I just try to watch what he does and how he is kind of trying to see the play, also just appreciating him and their whole team.”
Wood, fresh off the first hat trick of his career, on Monday against the New York Rangers, is finding his footing in the NHL. Chosen No. 15 in the 2023 NHL Draft, Wood made his NHL debut on April 6, playing in six games at the end of the season with one assist.
It was revelatory for him.
“It completely transformed my summer, I would say,” Wood said. “I was able to apply what I saw in those six games and put everything that I need to work on into my training and take my training up a notch. Just try to give myself the best chance that I could to make the team.”