The Nashville Predators are sending No. 5 overall pick Brady Martin back to the OHL for the 2025-26 season after the rookie played in three games.

The decision was announced on Oct. 22, a day after the Predators lost 5-2 to the Anaheim Ducks at Bridgestone Arena. Martin played 10:51, recording one shot and one blocked shot.

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Martin made his NHL debut on Oct. 9 against the Columbus Blue Jackets, playing on the top line with Filip Forsberg and Ryan O’Reilly. Then, in his second game, he tallied his first point, an assist on Filip Forsberg’s goal against the Utah Mammoth on Oct. 11.

But then Martin was out for four games, sitting for the team’s first road trip of the season. He missed games against the Ottawa Senators. Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens and Winnipeg Jets. Before the 7-4 loss to the Leafs, coach Andrew Brunette explained the team was taking a careful approach with Martin.

“We have a plan for him,” Brunette told reporters. “We want to manage him to the best of our abilities. Again, he’s an 18-year-old kid. This is a hard league as it goes forward, but he’s a very competitive kid that’s risen to every challenge, and I’m really excited to have him part of our organization and to watch him grow.”

The Predators’ plan for Martin apparently now means postponing his NHL career until at least 2026-27.

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NHL teams must return under-20 players to their junior teams unless they keep them on their NHL rosters for the entire season.

MARTIN: Why Nashville Predators rookie center Brady Martin is a force ‘everyone will love’

Because Martin is not yet 20 years old, he also cannot be sent to the American Hockey League. Since he’s been sent back to Sault Ste. Marie in the OHL, he will stay there for the 2025-26 season.

Martin looked somewhat uncomfortable in his first games for Nashville. Though he didn’t make any glaring mistakes, the physicality and speed of the league seemed to be a step above what he was ready for.

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He told reporters after the first game that he “needed to hit the weight room,” which was a telling sign. Another season in the OHL should get him where he needs to be, plus now he knows the speed and strength needed to be successful.

The Predators’ top pick in the 2025 NHL Draft (No. 5 overall), Martin was scored 43 goals and 57 assists in 109 games for the Greyhounds in the OHL, adding six points in 16 playoff games. He will head back to Sault Ste. Marie and likely be their top center and captain for the year.

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: Predators’ Brady Martin sent to OHL for rest of season after 3 games