A Soo Greyhound? Now we’re talkin..
Welcome back to our feature on draft profiles for projected top picks in the upcoming 2025 NHL draft. Catch up with the previous ones here:
No 1: Matthew Schaefer
No 2: Michael Misa
No. 3: Porter Martone
No. 4: Anton Frondell
No. 5: James Hagens
No. 6: Caleb Desnoyers
No. 7: Jake O’Brien
No. 8: Roger McQueen
No. 9: Victor Eklund
No. 10: Jackson Smith
No. 11: Radim Mrtka
For the rankings, we have turned to the venerable Bob McKenzie from TSN for his listing of players. McKenzie’s list is typically in-tune with the NHL, because his rankings are an average that comes from surveying 10 active NHL scouts. As such, the list is set as follows for players we will look to profile in the coming weeks to spread some awareness and knowledge for Pittsburgh NHL fans to get to know some of the top prospects.
No. 12: Brady Martin, 6’0” 178 pounds, C/W, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
One of the fastest rising prospects at the top of the draft checks in at 12, but he could be hearing his name called well before that because he’s the type of prospect that every NHL team loves. Martin profiles as a high-energy, physical forward often that plays bigger than his size. Martin is a “missile” as Jesse Marshall put it, seeking and destroying all over the rink when he’s out there, sometimes described as J.T Miller or Sam Bennett like as a high-end forward with a willingness to initiate contact.
Martin’s more than just the energy and physicality, his stock is rising after putting up 11 points in seven games for Team Canada at the recent U-18 tournament. He managed 72 points (33 goals + 29 assists) for the Soo this season in the OHL to display the offensive ability needed to rise to first round consideration.
The highlight reel is a joy to watch
On the downsides, Martin was reportedly only about 45% in the faceoff circle in the OHL. His skating is OK and functional but not a massive strong point (it’s more the motor and drive that makes him special). A switch to wing could be a long-term development for him but is not a certainty.
In a lot of ways, Martin is reminiscent of a Rutger McGroarty type of player. Average size but plays bigger. Great intangibles as far as leadership, wearing an A in the OHL and Team Canada already, and creates enthusiasm with a high-octane style of play, dogged determination and will go to the net. It’s not hard to envision Martin and McGroarty making up two-thirds of a tremendous line one day down the road.
They said it
Martin is a well-rounded, fearless, workhorse, pro-style forward whose combination of competitiveness and strength has endeared him to scouts and OHL coaches and players alike. He played huge, all-situations minutes for the Soo this season, often clocking 25-plus minutes as a forward, and then wore a letter for Canada at U18 Worlds and was one of the best players in the tournament. He plays extremely hard, he plays in the guts of the ice, his effort level and physicality get the highest grades in the draft and he stays involved in all three zones, constantly seeming to make things happen and have an impact on shifts and games. He’s strong on his feet and finishing checks, delivering some of the hardest hits I saw all year and doing it seemingly every game without being a dirty player. He’s got good hands and reflexes on tips and redirects around the net. He’s got some raw power and should continue to get even stronger. He’s got a B and C game that allows him to consistently impact games in a variety of desirable ways. While I wouldn’t call his skill or skating extremely dynamic, he’s very talented, regularly attacking at and challenging defenders with his hands and middle-lane drive and beating goalies with his quick release (he’s got an NHL shot already). So he’s not just a worker type with secondary skill; there’s some play-driving and individual playmaking to his game as well. He’s going to have a long career as a productive up-and-down-the-lineup center in the NHL and should be an excellent and unique middle-six C at minimum. There’s some untapped potential yet with him and his development curve as well.
Martin is a highly likable center who has been impressive in the OHL and for Team Canada this season. He’s a very skilled forward who has the one-on-one abilities to beat a lot of NHL defensemen. He’s creative as a puck handler and his offensive IQ impressed as the season went along even if not his calling card. His skill is appealing, but it’s the combination of his skill with his compete that gets evaluators excited. Martin has a true hardness in his game, attacking the high-percentage areas and is an extremely physical player. His skating is fine and his stride isn’t the most technically sound but he has enough natural quickness to get around at the higher levels. He could be a second line center who is a matchup player and makes life hellish on opponents.
He’s got a good frame to work with he drives very good metrics in transition and off the puck, and is perfectly adequate at creating offense for others in the offensive zone with good shot assist rates. He shoots from everywhere and I absolutely need to see a better ability to get to the net and drive pucks into scoring areas himself in order to project as a truly offensive weapon, but he shows all the signs of being perfectly capable to do so. He hits opponents a ton, blocks defensive zone cycles and causes turnovers in the offensive zone at a rate that makes him impossible to not value in this class. I do think his skill level and ability to generate speed could be a developmental hurdle, but at the very least you have a player who is determined, physical and confident in all the ways you need an NHL centre to be down the lineup.
When evaluating Martin, you must watch his play away from the puck to truly appreciate him, because his game transcends the scoresheet. His second half allowed him to finish with more than 70 points, making him the Greyhounds’ most important forward. But, again, it’s what he does when he’s trying to get the puck back that really shines. He hits everyone in sight, constantly battles hard for the puck and is a noted goal-scorer, too. He doesn’t always have top-level players to play with on the Greyhounds, but he does look like one of the best players to come out of the OHL this year because he does so much all over the ice and never gives up on a play.
Was an alpha dog at the U18s. Played like a wrecking ball and also put up points, especially when it mattered most. Martin lead the tournament with a plus-15 rating, if that’s a stat you believe in.
Brady Martin is a two-way center with a strong physical game and a consistent offensive skill set. His high compete level, hockey IQ, and versatility make him an appealing prospect for NHL teams seeking a 200′ prospect who will positively impact the game in all three zones. Martin plays a power-forward style, excelling in puck battles and creating offense through his strength, determination, and willingness to play in high-traffic areas. With continued improvements in his skating, consistency, and puck management, Martin has the potential to become a top-six NHL forward but we feel will be a solid middle-six center for a decade or more.
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Brady Martin is an exciting prospect, if he remains on the board when the Pens pick, he could well be the guy. Though unconnected with overlap, the fact Martin comes from the Soo can’t be ignored. Kyle Dubas has a storied history in bringing players from his favorite and local OHL team along with him in the pros either in Toronto or now in Pittsburgh (Michael Bunting [2x], Jake Muzzin, Jack Campbell, Mac Hollowell [2x], Rasmus Sandin, in a possibly incomplete listing). But beyond the pseudo-connection of the Greyhounds, there is plenty of reason for the Pens to be interested a center with Martin’s profile and upside. The biggest question left to be answered on draft night is whether or not another team picking in the top-10 will take the option off the table or not.