Brady Martin's chances of making the Nashville Predators' opening night roster for the second straight season are strengthening.
Martin, who made the final cut as an 18-year-old, scored the only goal in the Predators' 2-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning at Benchmark International Arena on Sept. 20. It's the latest in what has been an impressive preseason showing for the 2025 No. 5 overall pick.
"I'm just going out there to give my best foot forward, showcase what I've got," Martin said at the start of training camp on Sept. 12. "New management and everything, so everyone's watching."
Against Tampa, Martin finished with one goal on two shots in just over 17 minutes of ice time. He also hit the post on a shot from the slot late in the second period
that would have tied the game. Added to his all-around performance in the rookie tournament against the Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes a week earlier, and he seems like a favorite to win one of the final roster spots.
"(Martin's) obviously stronger, you can see he's matured from an 18-year-old to a 19-year-old," coach Andrew Brunette said on Sept. 18. "The puck really followed him around in the rookie tournament. He's one of those guys that's fighting."
After making the opening night roster last season, Martin played in three games before being sent back to the Soo Greyhounds (OHL) for the season. Battling through a midseason shoulder injury, he finished with 24 points in 24 games, adding 10 points in 10 OHL playoff games.
Brady Martin building his case to make the Predators roster out of training camp for the 2nd straight year.
— Alex Daugherty (@AlexDaugherty1) September 20, 2026
Note he’s eligible for AHL this season, so he doesn’t have to go back to OHL. pic.twitter.com/7PtWFbbXiH
At this point, he is likely done with junior hockey. If he doesn't make the Predators' roster, he can be sent to the Milwaukee Admirals, thanks to a new rule change that allows AHL teams to play at least one 19-year-old.
Where Brady Martin could fit in the Predators' lineup
Martin was drafted as a center, and that's mostly where he has played in his brief career.
But Predators general manager Chris MacFarland added two full-time centers during the summer in Mavrik Bourque and Jack Drury, and new wingers Ross Colton and Alex Kerfoot can play center in a pinch.
A short-term position change would likely accelerate Martin's NHL development. Playing wing would lessen his defensive responsibilities and showcase his strength as a physical menace who can turn loose pucks into goals. He also would make a natural replacement for the spot vacated by winger Luke Evangelista, who was traded on Sept. 1.
Things change quickly in the preseason, but here's what you could see on opening night:
- Steven Stamkos - Ryan O'Reilly - Brady Martin
- Filip Forsberg - Matthew Wood - Nils Hoglander
- Alex Kerfoot - Mavrik Bourque - Jonathan Marchessault
- Ross Colton - Jack Drury - Joakim Kemell
- Extra: Cole O'Hara
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@gannett.com, follow him on X at @alexdaugherty1 or check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: How moving to wing could accelerate Brady Martin's path to Nashville Predators
