Oct 9, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators center Brady Martin (44) skates with the puck against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the second period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images | Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Can Brady Martin eventually break Nashville’s curse of not being able to draft top-six centers?
Brady Martin got his NHL debut right out of the gate after being drafted fifth-overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. He played in just three games and even logged an assist, but obviously the learning curve remains.
Martin has since returned to the Soo Greyhounds of the OHL and has put up five goals and 11 assists in just 13 games. He has also saw some games on the international stage for Team Canada.
With Nashville’s center depth probably the worst in the entire NHL, we’re probably going to see Martin back in the NHL on a more consistent basis in 2026-27. Even if Ryan O’Reilly managed to stick around into next season, it will then be his final year of his contract and will be getting closer to either retiring or being traded to a contender.
Erik Haula, who most recently started on Nashville’s second line, is going to be a UFA this upcoming offseason at age 34. Then you have Michael McCarron, also due to be a UFA, and also very limited at a fourth liner.
This makes it so obvious how important it is that Brady Martin delivers as a true center, and they might need him sooner than they would like. He has the work ethic and the traits to be a solid NHL player, but many still have their doubts that he’ll develop into an eite top line center one day.