Why Nashville Predators now face big decision on top pick Brady Martin

After signing his entry-level contract with the Nashville Predators, Brady Martin is ready to work.Not hockey work that comes later.

It's work on his family's farm in Elmira, Ontario."Wheat and corn, dealing with all the hay and straw," Martin told The Tennessean on Aug.

20.

"We should have a corn harvest coming up soon, so I'll be busy with that again."The summer months quickly give way to harvest season, and Martin is helping, as he always does this time of year.

Now, as the crops are ready, he has been balancing harvest and hockey."We've been busy on the farm, but I've been gone a lot of the summer," he said.

"What with hockey with development camp and stuff."Eager to get his pro career started, Martin said signing his entry-level contract was always a priority after being selected No.

5 overall in the 2025 NHL Draft.

After two months of conversation between the Predators and his agency, it was time to put ink to paper."I was talking to Nashville for a while here, trying to figure out the best path for me to take," he said.

"Then I kind of made up my decision.

We had been talking throughout the summer, checking in, but there was no rush."A big decision ahead for Brady Martin and the Nashville PredatorsEven though Martin who just completed his second junior hockey season with the Sault Ste.

Marie Greyhounds in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) has signed, his pro career might not start immediately.The Predators have two options for Martin for the 2025-26 season.

If he makes the Predators out of training camp, they can start the clock on his three-year deal and begin his NHL career.

If not, they can send him back to the OHL for the season, delaying his pro contract by one year.

Note that if Martin makes the Predators out of camp, they have the option of playing him in up to nine NHL games before deciding to either keep him in Nashville or send him back to the OHL.That decision is an important one.

As an 18-year-old, Martin cannot play in the American Hockey League, which has an age requirement of 20.

If Martin makes the Predators and plays more than nine NHL games, he's committed to the NHL for the rest of the season and would be ineligible for the AHL.Martin isn't concerned with the decision at this point, though he recognizes its significance."I have no idea what's going to happen," he said.

"Just going to head to the rookie tournament and try my best.

See what happens, see if they keep me up there for a bit.

No expectations, just going in there and working my hardest and see what happens."In September, Nashville's rookies will participate in a rookie tournament against the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes.

After that, Martin will practice in full training camp alongside proven NHL players like Ryan O'Reilly, Filip Forsberg and Roman Josi.LINEUP? How will Nashville Predators line up? Our way-too-early predictions for forward combinationsIt's an opportunity for Martin to learn from the best, something he's looking forward to.

"It's pretty crazy to think about.

Those guys have been in the league for a long time.

They know all the tips and tricks.

All the details to be good at the next level.

It will definitely be a challenge for me, but I'm hoping they can take me under their wing and show me a couple things," he said.General manager Barry Trotz has not ruled out the possibility of Martin making the team out of training camp.

But there are many weeks before that decision must be made.For now, just like on his family's farm, Martin is ready to get to work."It's a long road ahead and the work is just beginning," he said.

"I'm excited and can't wait to get started with Nashville."Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean.

Contact Alex at [email protected].

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: Why Nashville Predators now face big decision on top pick Brady Martin.

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