In trading veteran center Colton Sissons to Vegas on Sunday, the Predators parted ways with a versatile, reliable player.
But they also made the training camp battle for roster spots that much more intriguing.
Someone, after all, will have to fill the void left by Sissons, who — along with defenseman Jeremy Lauzon — was moved to Vegas in exchange for defenseman Nicolas Hague and a conditional 2027 draft pick.
Might that someone be center Brady Martin, Nashville’s first-round pick last Friday?
The odds are much more likely that the 18-year-old Martin will be returned to his Soo Greyhounds junior team after training camp this fall, giving him an opportunity to play big minutes and mature physically in 2025-26 before taking the next step in his career.
The Predators have very rarely advanced their junior-age prospects to the NHL the same year they were drafted, with forward Scott Hartnell (chosen sixth overall in 2000) being the notable exception.
But Predators general manager Barry Trotz did nothing Tuesday to quash the idea that Martin, who was chosen fifth overall, might have the kind of qualities that could help him earn an NHL roster spot right away.
“I have an open mind,” Trotz said. “This young man, nothing would surprise me. This guy, he’s got tons of confidence. I think he’s a guy that pulls you into the fight.”
Trotz noted that when he was recently asked who Martin reminded him of, he reached way back in the memory bank and came up with Bobby Clarke, the legendary leader of the Philadelphia Flyers for 15 seasons.
A Hockey Hall of Famer, Clarke was the fearless heartbeat of the “Broad Street Bullies” in the 1970s, racking up 1,210 points and 1,453 penalty minutes in 1,144 career games.
“Sometimes I show my age, but he’s got the Bobby Clarke-ish type of mentality,” Trotz said of Martin. “He’s got more skill than you [think]. He will hurt you. He will pull guys into the fight. All those things that make your team better when it matters, and he steps up when it matters. You get the chance in training to step up.”
The 6-0, 178-pound Martin may come by part of that toughness from his upbringing, as he and his siblings are active participants on the family’s 2,000 acres of farmland in Elmira, Ontario.
Martin didn’t attend the draft in person in Los Angeles because he wanted to be with his family on the farm for the big moment.
“I think it’s really cool,” Preds coach Andrew Brunette, also an Ontario native, said of Martin’s background. “I think the value system that’s placed on hard work on a farm — you can’t teach that. That’s just born in you.
“It’s a remarkable story. To know the area where he grew up, and to see where he’s got, is pretty cool.”
But what about the chances of Martin, who totaled 72 points (33 goals, 39 assists) in 57 games for the Greyhounds last season, taking that big leap straight to the NHL?
“[Players will] kind of dictate if they [have a chance] or not when they come to camp,” Brunette said. “He has the prototype … the way he skates and the way he moves, the way he competes. He’s going to be a player for a long time. He’ll dictate when that starts.”
Martin is intrigued by the possibility of playing in the NHL this season, but doesn’t want to get too far ahead of himself, concentrating instead on making a good impression at the Preds’ development camp this week.
“You just go out there and you do your best and you see what happens,” Martin said. “Obviously everyone wants to play in the NHL their first year, but it’s a tough league and to make the next step is a big step. So, I’m just going to push hard and see what happens.”
Whether he makes the Preds’ roster this season or not, Trotz believes Martin’s combination of skills and physicality will energize the Bridgestone Arena faithful in years to come.
“[Martin] saw [6-6, 232-pound Preds center] Mike McCarron walk by us, and he’s like, `I’ve got to go against him?’” Trotz said. “[I said,] `Yes you do.’ He goes, `No problem.’
“So he’s got me excited. I think our fanbase, you’re going to love this kid. I know you are. I’d bet my life on it.”