The Nashville Predators began their 2025 NHL Draft by selecting forward Brady Martin at No. 5 overall, a surprise pick to some, but a player general manager Barry Trotz believes was a “passion pick” for his organization.
The Predators also added defenseman Cameron Reid at No. 21 and forward Ryker Lee at No. 26, rounding out a three-man first-round class that helps fortify Nashville’s prospect pool.
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Here are all seven Predators picks from the 2025 NHL Draft, which took place June 27-28 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Round 1, No. 5 overall: Brady Martin (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, OHL)
Martin just completed his second season with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), scoring 33 goals and 39 assists in 57 games. Their top center and assistant captain totaled 43 goals and 57 assists in 109 OHL games, adding six points in 16 playoff games.
A 6-foot, 178-pound right-handed skater, Martin is known for his incredible physical play from the center position. He projects as a top-six center, though second line might be his ceiling.
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Round 1, No. 21: Cameron Reid (Kitchener Rangers, OHL)
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The Predators traded up to get Reid, who scored 14 goals and had 40 assists in 67 games with the Kitchener Rangers (OHL). A 6-0, 174-pound, two-way defenseman is a left-handed skater with puck-carrying skills that should translate to the NHL level. His standout attributes are his skating ability and offensive instincts.
Round 1, No. 26: Ryker Lee (Madison Capitols, USHL)
Lee had a breakout season with the Madison Capitols in the United States Hockey League (USHL), scoring 31 goals and 37 assists in 58 games. The 6-1, 187-pound, right-handed skater is a skilled winger with excellent puck-handling and scoring ability. He’s a project, but could end up being a top-six goal scorer.
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Round 2, No. 35: Jacob Rombach (Lincoln Stars, USHL)
Rombach just finished his second season with the Lincoln Stars of the United States Hockey League (USHL) and is committed to the University of Minnesota for the 2025-26 season. A 6-6, 209-pound, left-handed defenseman, he had three goals and 15 assists for the Stars last season. His standout attributes are his size and defensive feel for the game.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 28: Jack Ivankovic poses for a portrait after being drafted by the Nashville Predators with the fifty-eigth overall pick during rounds 2-7 of the 2025 Upper Deck NHL Draft at JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE on June 28, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
Round 2, No. 58: Jack Ivankovic (Brampton Steelheads, OHL)
The Predators said they would draft a goaltender and they did, taking Ivankovic, a 6-0, 179-pound goalie from the Brampton Steelheads. He matches what Nashville likes in its goalies of late: undersized, mobile, smart. Many scouts believe he could be a steal as a second-rounder. He’s committed to Michigan for the 2025-26 season.
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The Predators traded the No. 55 overall pick to Vegas in exchange for picks Nos. 58 and 122.
Round 4, No. 122: Alex Huang (Chicoutimi Sagueneens, QMJHL)
A right-handed defenseman, Huang had seven goals and 33 assists in 64 games with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL). He’s an excellent skater from the back line, but probably needs to bulk up to make an impact at the NHL level. Mobility is his standout attribute. The 6-foot, 170-pounder is headed to Harvard for the 2026-27 season.
Round 6, No. 163: Daniel Nieminen (Pelicans, Finish Elite League)
Nieminen, 19, had four goals and seven assists in 39 games for the Pelicans in Finland’s top league last season. A 6-0, 187-pound, left-handed defenseman, he is an outstanding skater, similar to Huang. He could break out for the Pelicans in 2025-26 and develop into a nice puck-moving defenseman down the road.
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Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Who did the Predators take in the 2025 NHL Draft? Recap of Rounds 1-7