Brady Martin (Photo by Natalie Shaver/OHL Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/753465bb-1c0d-45e4-bd86-1edd8849123a.jpeg] Brady Martin (Photo by Natalie Shaver/OHL Images) Last year, the Anaheim Ducks surprised the NHL draft floor in Las Vegas when they selected Oshawa Generals right winger Beckett Sennecke third overall. Sennecke himself was visibly (and famously) surprised [https://thehockeynews.com/news/why-the-anaheim-ducks-bet-big-on-beckett-sennecke], and while I can't say I predicted him going in the top five, some scouts had told me late in the season they saw his stock dramatically rising. One year later, the Ducks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks] are looking pretty smart. Sennecke has helped his Generals to the OHL final [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/you-can-tell-when-beckett-is-going-sennecke-tramples-the-colts-in-ohl-playoffs], where he has been one of the top playoff scorers in the league [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl] while playing a robust physical game. That got me thinking: who could be this year's Sennecke? The draft always holds surprises, and while there are some great candidates to go in the top five this season – Matthew Schaefer [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/matthew-schaefer-should-be-no-1-but-will-he-be-in-the-nhl-next-season], Michael Misa [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/2025-nhl-draft-michael-misas-historic-year-has-him-pushing-for-first-overall], Porter Martone [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-draft-prospect-porter-martone-fights-to-win-literally], Anton Frondell [https://thehockeynews.com/international/djurgrden-extends-top-draft-prospect-anton-frondell] and James Hagens [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/james-hagens-may-slide-on-draft-day-but-his-nhl-upside-remains-elite] – there are also some names that could jump up into that range. Here are three candidates. BRADY MARTIN, C, SAULT STE. MARIE GREYHOUNDS (OHL) Martin [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/players/penguins-draft-prospect-profile-brady-martin] will come into the draft hot, having scorched the field at the World Men's U-18s [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/u-18-mens-worlds-eight-tournament-standouts-as-canada-wins-gold] with Canada and winning a gold medal in the process. He didn't have much talent surrounding him in the Soo this year but still put up solid offensive numbers. He's physical, he's a leader, and when it comes to off-ice training, the small-town Ontario farm boy hasn't even begun his ascent. "Martin is right in there with the top OHL [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl] guys," said one scout. "When media guys do their redrafts in a few years, he'll be considerably higher. The way he plays, he might end up being one of the best pros. You've got a kid who has never done power skating or summer skill camps; he's just a hockey player. His compete level is off the charts. He plays both ends of the ice and in all the hard areas." ROGER MCQUEEN, C, BRANDON WHEAT KINGS (WHL) The knock on McQueen this season has been the injury that sidelined him for most of the campaign. Scouts suspect a back problem, and given what happened to Columbus Blue Jackets first-rounder Cayden Lindstrom [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/blue-jackets-cayden-lindstrom-scores-first-whl-goal-in-411-days], there is some reticence. However, Lindstrom just returned from his back injury and is playing for Medicine Hat in the WHL [https://thehockeynews.com/whl] final. On merit, McQueen is a 6-foot-5 center who skates well, has a great shot and hunts down pucks. "Ability-wise, he's top-five, potentially even top-three," said one scout. "The injury, and being on the heels of Cayden Lindstrom not playing, I expect him to slide." Having said that, it only takes one team to believe in McQueen and his long-term upside. 2025 NHL Draft Rankings: Ferrari's Post-Lottery Top 64 [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/226f0bc5-97dc-416e-9df9-e2defdcbbe3a.jpeg] 2025 NHL Draft Rankings: Ferrari's Post-Lottery Top 64 One week after the NHL’s draft lottery decided which franchise received the first-overall pick, it’s time for a new round of draft rankings. [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/2025-nhl-draft-rankings-ferraris-post-lottery-top-64] JAKE O'BRIEN, C, BRANTFORD BULLDOGS (OHL) When draft day actually arrives, the same thing happens every year: teams picking high go for centers or size or both. O'Brien [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/players/penguins-draft-prospect-profile-jake-obrien] is a 6-foot-2 center who will only get stronger once he bulks up from his current 170 pounds. He's coming off a 98-point season with the Bulldogs and plays at both ends of the ice. [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/players/2025-nhl-draft-spotlight-jake-obriens-elite-playmaking-ability-heating-up-down-the-stretch] "He's in the Wyatt Johnston mold that thinks the game well," said one scout. "He's very elusive, but he's not going to run you over like Porter Martone. He'll steal pucks by lifting sticks or jumping pass routes. He's another guy who people will say 'you picked that guy over him?' in a few years. He has that potential." Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.
