Is it October yet?
Unfortunately, no, but we're here to help pass the time. From Aug. 8 to Sept. 1, The Hockey News Nashville Predators will be counting down 24 players in 24 days, profiling every current or potentially rostered player.
Today's player profile is center Brady Martin.
24 Nashville Predators in 24 days series
As an NHL prospect
Martin is from Elora, Ontario, and when he isn't playing hockey, he is working on his family's farm in Elmiara, Ontario.
He played bantam hockey with the Waterloo Wolves U16 AAA and was awarded captaincy in his second season. During that 2022-23 season, Martin scored 56 points in 23 games and 29 points in 11 playoff games.
Martin's standout performance in U16 play saw him selected third overall by the Sault St. Marie Greyhounds in the 2023 OHL Draft.
He hit the ground running in his first season as a Greyhound, scoring 28 points in 58 games, with a plus/minus of 12 and logged 40 penalty minutes.
The following season, his numbers spiked, scoring 72 points in 57 games, with a plus/minus of 25 and 68 penalty minutes. Martin also played for Canada at the IIHF U18 World Championship, scoring 11 points in seven games as an assistant captain.
That same year, Martin played for Canada in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, scoring four points in five games and played two games with Team CHL in the Prospects Challenge, scoring a point.
Martin is known for his creative and skilled offensive presence and a hard-working mentality. He's a player who can score and hit hard.
In need of center depth, specifically for the future, the Nashville Predators selected Martin with the fifth overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
What role will he play this season?
It's unknown what the Predators want to do with Martin yet, but it's clear what Martin wants: he wants to make the team.
He stood out in development camp, showcasing a strong IQ on the ice and no issue keeping pace with the other prospects. The Predators are in need of center depth, and it's absolutely worth giving Martin at least the nine-game trial run.
It's a win-win situation. If he plays well, the Predators have a jumpstart on the future and could potentially have three to four strong centers. If he's not ready, Martin will return to Soo, have a lights-out year, play in the World Junior Championship and possibly win a Memorial Cup.
Early projections don't have Martin on Canada's World Junior roster, and that could be because he's expected to crack the Predators roster. It'll all depend on the kind of camp Martin will have and if he can keep up and stand out.