2025 NHL Draft - Player to watch: Brady Martin

The Montreal Canadiens have long struggled acquiring centremen, and now with Kirby Dach done for the year, Kent Hughes knows the value of stocking the prospect cupboard.

Brady Martin, a 2025 NHL Draft - first round potential prospect playing for the Soo Greyhounds in the Ontario Hockey League, is an interesting guy. I won't sit here, and act like I came up with the comparisons because I didn't, but I do watch plenty of junior hockey - and OHL primarily. Martin is a right-shot centre, and his brilliant play and all-around game have him in the conversation, while premature, to be a top-15 pick.

Grant McCagg recently sung his praises about Martin, stating that he has third line centre potential as his basement. But Martin is too talented, smart and competitive to settle there, and I'd expect that if he goes in the top of the first round, he will surely develop into a top-six centre. Montreal drafted Michael Hage in 2024, and over the last few drafts, they have emphasized drafting centres.

If McCagg's comparison is correct, which he doesn't often just say things and hope that they stick to the wall, then Martin could be a valuable pick. Mike Richards, Bo Horvat and then towards the end of his analysis, he threw out the name Robert Thomas. To me, when you think of those guys, you think of a player who impacts the game in all three zones from his centre ice position.

With Martin there is no concern about what position he plays, because he is strong in the faceoff dot, and he plays a strong two-way game. When you hear these names, you think of a player who is responsible with and without the puck, but they also have tremendous offensive zone creativity, and a solid shot. Horvat is yet to record a 30-goal season, but the other two players have multiple 30-goal seasons.

What I think of when I hear these players. names is a player who will have a long, successful career as a second-line centre, with top line potential. I don't think that Martin will play above Nick Suzuki in the Habs lineup, but I think he will be a great complementary centre. Martin will kill penalties, and could be a nice fit on the second power play unit in the NHL.

Through 50 games with the Greyhounds, the Elmira, Ontario native has scored 29-32-61. Martin, a six-foot centre, who is 174 pounds, doesn't turn 18 until the 16th of March. That fact gives plenty of excitement towards his trajectory, and room to mature physically.

Martin looks like a nice option for the Habs with Calgary's pick, though his middle-six centre potential pushes him out of the top 15 for me. It would be a gamble to draft him sooner than that, and while I believe the Habs should gamble on talent, missing on a consensus top player would be wisest. I like what Martin brings, and his comparisons are guys that are tough to play against.

It will be interesting to see how everything unfolds in the lead up to the Trade Deadline, and then at the draft in June.  Martin's has great habits, and is great defensively, but doesn’t sacrifice offence. The Soo Greyhound brings more than 3c upside, and while he may have pointless outings, his details and physicality make him an intriguing first round option.

Martin St. Louis is running a tight ship

It's unclear who Canadiens bench boss Martin St. Louis was displeased with during a recent practice, but he showed that he means business. I think some fans fail to realize that he isn't trying to hurt anybody's feelings, which this is hockey we're talking about regardless. He has set a standard and expects that it gets met, or else he will be vocal about it.

I love the approach, and believe that a well-coached team will reign superior over a team with a coach who is a pushover. St. Louis is as fiery, and competitive a coach as you can get, and given the success that he carved out for himself, he warrants respect. Montreal was dealt a big blow losing Dach, but the team is playing well, and there is no need to take their collective foot off the gas pedal.

The team is getting close, and I think a few moves before the Trade Deadline will be tremendous for the Canadiens - primarily acquiring a top-six centre, and possibly a top-four right shot defenseman. But I think this team should just go par for the course and see what happens. Unloading UFA's and adding roster players makes a lot of sense, and even if they don't qualify for the playoffs - setting a standard is huge.

A high draft pick, and chalking up this season as one for growth and development wouldn't render it a lost year, but one used as a springboard into the 2025-26 season. With Ivan Demidov joining the fold, and a couple of Laval Rocket guys looking to take the next step, the team will be more competitive come October. It's all coming together, and while prospects are developing elsewhere - St. Louis is guiding the guys in Montreal right now, to establish a foundation for the future.