The Nashville Predators have selected forward Brady Martin with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft on June 27.
Martin, 18, 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.
With the Predators‘ front office staff, including general manager Barry Trotz, making the pick remotely from their offices at Bridgestone Arena, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman introduced Martin at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
A 6-foot, 178-pound right-handed skater, Martin is known for his incredible physical play from the center position. He plays much bigger than his average frame, laying huge hits and providing intense pressure as a forechecker. His puck skill and vision are also impressive, though he doesn’t have overwhelming offensive ability.
His physical abilities have been compared to that of Sam Bennett, who just won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the top playoff performer for the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
An Elmira, Ontario native, Martin likely will head back to the OHL for his third season with Sault Ste. Marie, though he potentially could make the Predators roster out of training camp. He should immediately slot as one of the team’s top center prospects, joining Fedor Svechkov and David Edstrom.
At No. 5 overall, Martin is the highest forward drafted by Nashville since taking David Legwand at No. 2 overall in 1998.
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.