From the moment Brady Martin [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/predators-select-center-brady-martin-with-5th-overall-pick-in-nhl-draft] was drafted by the Nashville Predators [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators], he was immediately posed with questions about his skills, background, and whether his selection at fifth overall was the right one. Drafted out from the Soo Greyhounds in the OHL, the 6-foot, 175-pound center scored 72 points in 57 games while logging 68 penalty minutes. He's proving to be a physical center that can find the back of the net, exactly what general manager Barry Trotz [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/here-are-3-takeaways-from-nashville-predators-2025-nhl-draft] is looking for. Martin was selected over top prospects James Hagens [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/nhl-draft-preview-frondell-hagens-mcqueen-emerge-as-favorites-for-predators-5th-overall-pick] and Porter Martone. With Nashville needing an offensive edge, fans were left confused as to why the Predators passed on two high-scoring forwards. A comparison was also drawn between Martin and Trotz, who both came from rural backgrounds. Martin works on his family's farm [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/players/predators-first-rounder-brady-martin-credits-competitiveness-to-community-growing-up-on-farm], and Trotz is from rural Manitoba. Despite all the noise, Martin made it clear that he wanted to make the Predators roster this fall. With the team in need of center depth, the door is wide open for Martin to take advantage. Nashville Predators 2025 fifth overall pick Brady Martin speaks to media following the Future Stars Game on July 5, 2025, at Ford Ice Center. Jack Williams/The Hockey News In development camp, Martin stood out through his sense of the game. He moved a bit smoother on the ice and found his strengths in setting up plays. He even turned defenseman Cameron Reid [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/nashville-predators-trade-for-21st-overall-pick-select-defenseman-cameron-reid] inside out during the 3-on-3 tournament. When the time came for the Future Stars Game [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/3-takeaways-from-nashville-predators-future-stars-game], Martin wasn't flashy but didn't need to be. He'd score the second goal of the game, finding the puck off the rebound, in traffic, going to the backhand and burying it. "I think this [Future Stars Game] kind of shows how you can play the game and kind of shows everything about your game," Martin said following Saturday's game. "I think this was good for me to showcase my skill and work ethic." As a center, Martin's focus shouldn't be solely scoring goals, but creating goal-scoring situations, whether that may be on the breakout, recording an assist or finding the back of the net himself. Nashville needed an offensive generator, and Martin provided it in the game. So the question posed is, can Martin make the Predator's main roster? Following the development camp, he doubled down on his intention to make the team in the fall and worked toward that goal. "Everyone is working and ready to make the jump to the next level," Martin said. "I'm just going to keep on pushing myself and try to crack the lineup." The Predators' current projections at center are as follows in this order: Steven Stamkos, Ryan O'Reilly, Fedor Svechkov and Michael McCarron. There isn't too much wiggle room on the first two lines, but it opens up on the third and fourth lines. Svechkov played the bulk of the season in Nashville, spending 13 games in Milwaukee, and put in some decent numbers, scoring 17 points in 52 games. Considering the season the Predators had last year, it's not awful, but you'd expect the team would like some competition there. Svechkov has a similar build to Martin at 6-foot and 187 pounds. Gold team forward Brady Martin (44) skates with the puck during the Future Stars Game at the Ford Ice Center Bellevue in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, July 5, 2025. © Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/5a85dfd3-dacc-439e-82a1-200a076606da.jpeg] Gold team forward Brady Martin (44) skates with the puck during the Future Stars Game at the Ford Ice Center Bellevue in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, July 5, 2025. © Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images McCarron played the entire season in Nashville, scoring 14 points in 74 games and logging 102 penalty minutes. He wasn't the most productive, but he's 6-foot-6 inches tall and just turned 30, which are two characteristics that Trotz has mentioned the Predators are looking for in a player. Between the two, McCarron seems to be more at risk of losing his spot than Svechkov. With last season being Svechkov's first in the NHL, they may want to see his potential and how much more they can get out of him. He also has more proven offensive upside than McCarron. Nashville needs scoring, and McCarron doesn't seem to be doing that enough. He had a plus/minus of -21 and eighth in the league in penalty minutes. In that category, McCarron had the lowest plus/minus out of the top 23 penalty-minute leaders. The top penalty minute leader, Boston's Nikita Zadorov, had 145 penalty minutes but had a plus/minus of 25, proving that while he's constantly putting his time on the PK, he's still productive. Martin's work ethic is what sets him apart and convinced the Predators to select him higher than expected. He's not a flashy player because that's not what he's billed as. Martin has a ton of talent but implements that in various areas of the game. Come September, that competitive attitude and work ethic could give him some separation and convince the Predators to take a chance on him in the lineup. One part of his game that may struggle to transition, at least in his rookie season, is the physicality. Martin won't be able to check like he did in juniors, as he will be going up against bigger and faster players. In not mirroring McCarron, he needs to focus on the details and not be overly aggressive. If he continues to bill himself as this hardworking, competitive player, Martin has a good chance of getting rostered. Even if he doesn't, he'll likely put up a ridiculous stat line in the OHL and get the opportunity to play for Canada in the IIHF World Junior Championships. Splitting time between Nashville and Milwaukee isn't bad either, as the Admirals have proven to be a strong farm team, making it to the AHL Central Division Championship two years in a row.
