You have high hopes for martin. Every projection I've watched or read has martin as a low end 2nd line center but would be an excellent 3rd line center. Jake O'Brien has a better projection than martin. You're overhyping him if you think hell be schenn like
2025 NHL DRAFT
- Thread starter Soundgarden
- Start date
Have you seen either player? I’ve been watching lots of videos of all the top prospects. Full games, shifts by shifts, and highlights. Martin is a riser for good reason. Lots of raw talent. He was best player on ice at u18. He was one man wrecking crew on middling Soo team. The more I watched the more impressed I was. Maybe he is only 2c, but 3c seems like a poor outcome for him.
I agree that O’Brien has nice skill, but his stats are inflated by great Branford pp with Lardis. He doesn’t seem to be the athlete that most of the top prospects are and his transition stats aren’t great. I have him around 8, but it wouldn’t shock me if he ends up better player than that but there are legit red flags.
Byrddog
Lifer
- Nov 23, 2007
- 7,490
- 894
When considering a player at this point in a draft that is particularly weak you have to look at where will the player fit in when he makes the roster. None of the guys in this 5 pick level are touted to be the centerpiece of a roster. It could well be a chance to take the best player available since there are so many holes in the lineup that need help.
The worst thing would to put him on the roster day one. There is no incentive to do so next years class looks to be more talented and then another poor year the year after. All three picks can be top 10 if not top 5. It would not hurt if Trotz was able to move some of this years picks for players with a year under there belt or picks next year. If he can find a home for Saros before the movement clause kicks in he needs to do that. The contract is too long which may not have been bad until the whole team fell apart. Play low budget veterans in net until you get one for the future.
The worst thing would to put him on the roster day one. There is no incentive to do so next years class looks to be more talented and then another poor year the year after. All three picks can be top 10 if not top 5. It would not hurt if Trotz was able to move some of this years picks for players with a year under there belt or picks next year. If he can find a home for Saros before the movement clause kicks in he needs to do that. The contract is too long which may not have been bad until the whole team fell apart. Play low budget veterans in net until you get one for the future.
Yes I have watched both players a lot and were just gonna have a difference of opinion because we see different things. I'm not saying martin is gonna be a bad prospect and if somehow we can trade up to get him then that would be alright by me. But I just don't think he's worth the 5th pick. If hagens is gone which he very may will be before 5 then I'm looking at frondell or McQueen before Martin. Frondell is already playing with grown men and doesn't look put of place. And as stated before with McQueen I think his potential is probably one of the highest in this draft.
Sorry, rereading my post it came across as far more snarky than I intended. As you say, we just see it differently. Part of what makes these forums fun.
Nah I didn't take it as snarky at all. Just 2 people with different opinions. I just know Nashville has to hit on this prospect we draft at 5. I just don't think you can go wrong drafting hagens. I think his floor is a good 2nd line center which I think that's martins ceiling. Chicago or Utah picking hagens then this conversation is moot. I'm just hoping one of them values frondell or desnoyer higher. I don't think martrone will be there at 5 either
Latest Athletic mock:
5: C Frondell (Hagens went 4)
23: D Reid
26: D Fiddler
I’d be ok with this if it played out. Would prefer it if Hagens fell to 4 but out of our control. I could see the Preds taking Fiddler at 23 tho for obvious reasons.
5: C Frondell (Hagens went 4)
23: D Reid
26: D Fiddler
I’d be ok with this if it played out. Would prefer it if Hagens fell to 4 but out of our control. I could see the Preds taking Fiddler at 23 tho for obvious reasons.
herzausstein
Registered User
I'd be pretty good with that tbh. Top 4 future d pairings have smaller LHD and bigger RHD.
Mix and match
Molendyk Fiddler
Reid Gibson
Seems like a good mix. Throw in Chystyakov/Gustafsson and MacKinnon for a more pairing options and the d group is looking alot stronger for the future.
Caleb Denoyers is such a smart hockey player. He is clearly playing hurt at Memorial Cup, but he is just so impressive. Once he gains his man strength I could see him as a Barkov-type player. Too bad he is unlikely to make it to our pick.
crazynaiman
Registered User
- Jul 2, 2015
- 11
- 96
What worries me is the recent trend: Hagens slipping, Desnoyers and McQueen rising, and people talking themselves into “safe” or “mature” picks. But let’s be real — we don’t pick in the top 5 every year. When we do, we need a player who can actually move the needle. Not a solid middle-six guy. A game-changer.
If it’s Martone, take the power winger with size and a pro-level release — already in the mix with Team Canada. He brings something Nashville has lacked for years: a potential top-line finisher with physical presence.
If it’s Frondell, take the kid who just held his own against men in Sweden and looks more NHL-ready than anyone in the class. 25 points (11+14) in 29 games against brutal, bearded vikings — for god’s sake. He combines hockey IQ, pace, and pro-readiness like few others. His game already fits NHL structure. Could realistically play with Forsberg from day one.
If by some miracle it’s Hagens, grab your future top-line center and build around him. MVP at the U18 Worlds (22 points in 7 games), solid showing at the U20s, strong season at Boston College (37 points in 37 games) — and easily one of the most polished players in the class. High-end vision, playmaking, two-way maturity — and yes, legit elite skill.
Desnoyers? McQueen? They’re still figuring things out — and doing it in weaker leagues. O'Brien? Martin? Come on, we're not picking #10.
Projection isn’t just about points. It’s about context, maturity, and trajectory.
We have a shot at one of the top-tier guys — the ones already playing above their age and level.
Take the free gift. Because thank Bettman, we’re in the top 5 for this draft — and we all deserve to walk away happy.
If it’s Martone, take the power winger with size and a pro-level release — already in the mix with Team Canada. He brings something Nashville has lacked for years: a potential top-line finisher with physical presence.
If it’s Frondell, take the kid who just held his own against men in Sweden and looks more NHL-ready than anyone in the class. 25 points (11+14) in 29 games against brutal, bearded vikings — for god’s sake. He combines hockey IQ, pace, and pro-readiness like few others. His game already fits NHL structure. Could realistically play with Forsberg from day one.
If by some miracle it’s Hagens, grab your future top-line center and build around him. MVP at the U18 Worlds (22 points in 7 games), solid showing at the U20s, strong season at Boston College (37 points in 37 games) — and easily one of the most polished players in the class. High-end vision, playmaking, two-way maturity — and yes, legit elite skill.
Desnoyers? McQueen? They’re still figuring things out — and doing it in weaker leagues. O'Brien? Martin? Come on, we're not picking #10.
Projection isn’t just about points. It’s about context, maturity, and trajectory.
We have a shot at one of the top-tier guys — the ones already playing above their age and level.
Take the free gift. Because thank Bettman, we’re in the top 5 for this draft — and we all deserve to walk away happy.
Gnashville
I’m Your Huckleberry
I’m confused are people saying they want Martin or Martone? I’m assuming it’s spell check for some because There is a Brady Martin in this draft but surely no one would consider him with the 5th pick. He would be good at 23 or a package to move into the teens.
Porter Stoutheart
Feliz Cinco De Lotto
- Jun 14, 2017
- 15,471
- 14,904
No, Martin was always a top-15 pick. But what happened is he was the stand out at the World U18 tournament, both offensively AND physically, and so you get the "what-have-you-done-for-me-lately" perspective that has pushed him into basically automatic top-10, and indeed the possibility that some team just loves him so much that they grab him top-5.
I mean, if you want the one guy in this draft who has a little of the true Tkachuk snarl to him, it's Martin. It's not at all clear the rest of his game is where the Tkachuks were, and he's a little smaller. But that's a VERY desirable style in the modern NHL.
Martone has the size and skill level, but not the true snarl.
That's what makes the draft so much fun. I will not be the least bit surprised if Martin or Martone end up being the 5th-best players in this draft (or higher) once hindsight is applicable. It's THAT open this year.
Scoresberg
In Trotz We Trust?
FWIW, I just had a dream last night that we draft McQueen at 5. Martin went 4 to Utah. Hagens to Boston. Rest, I don't remember anymore, lol.
Gnashville
I’m Your Huckleberry
Martin unfortunately reminds me too much of Tanner Jeannot. His body will age quickly in the NHL.
Here are my June 1st rankings. I will update again after combine. These are in tiers., and the players below are basically only ones with a 1st round grade:
1. Schaefer
2. Misa
3. Desnoyers
4. Martin
5. Martone
6. Frondell
7. Hagens
8. O’Brien
9. Mrtka
10. Nesbitt
11. Smith
12. Eklund
13. McQueen
14. Carbonneau
15. Reschny
16. Reid
17. Gastrin
18. Fiddler
19. Bear
20. Hensler
21. Brzustewicz
22. McKinney
23. Aitcheson
24. Spence
1. Schaefer
2. Misa
3. Desnoyers
4. Martin
5. Martone
6. Frondell
7. Hagens
8. O’Brien
9. Mrtka
10. Nesbitt
11. Smith
12. Eklund
13. McQueen
14. Carbonneau
15. Reschny
16. Reid
17. Gastrin
18. Fiddler
19. Bear
20. Hensler
21. Brzustewicz
22. McKinney
23. Aitcheson
24. Spence
Porter Stoutheart
Feliz Cinco De Lotto
- Jun 14, 2017
- 15,471
- 14,904
Bold, but I respect the thought that went into it.
Porter Stoutheart
Feliz Cinco De Lotto
- Jun 14, 2017
- 15,471
- 14,904
NHL Combine starts tomorrow!!!!
This is a big event for our final prospect rankings picks.
I don't think size/height are really that big a deal anymore TBH... there are usually a few surprises that knock guys down or bump them up based on new "official" measurements relative to what websites have been baselining. But I am not really expecting any significant "surprises" on that front that will affect our picks this year?
The big things are going to be the interviews, followed by some of the physical skills testing scores. Well, and of course any medical info that comes out for some few guys (like McQueen). Big week for finalizing our draft list.
This is a big event for our final prospect rankings picks.
I don't think size/height are really that big a deal anymore TBH... there are usually a few surprises that knock guys down or bump them up based on new "official" measurements relative to what websites have been baselining. But I am not really expecting any significant "surprises" on that front that will affect our picks this year?
The big things are going to be the interviews, followed by some of the physical skills testing scores. Well, and of course any medical info that comes out for some few guys (like McQueen). Big week for finalizing our draft list.
Hopefully you're wrong because I'm really hoping at a chance for fiddler AND Brzustewicz with our 23rd and 26th pick. Would really solidify our right side with Gibson for our future. And I'm hoping Boumedienne falls to our 2nd round pick. I also like aitcheson as well and would love to see him fall to 23 which I doubt he will. I think should focus solely on defense with our next 3 pick after 5. While there may not be a number 1 defenseman after Schaefer I do see some good top 4 defenseman
Yea I think McQueen's health will have a big spot light on him because of his high potential.NHL Combine starts tomorrow!!!!
This is a big event for our final prospect rankings picks.
I don't think size/height are really that big a deal anymore TBH... there are usually a few surprises that knock guys down or bump them up based on new "official" measurements relative to what websites have been baselining. But I am not really expecting any significant "surprises" on that front that will affect our picks this year?
The big things are going to be the interviews, followed by some of the physical skills testing scores. Well, and of course any medical info that comes out for some few guys (like McQueen). Big week for finalizing our draft list.
Porter Stoutheart
Feliz Cinco De Lotto
- Jun 14, 2017
- 15,471
- 14,904
People should not overly mythologize Gibson as a top prospect IMO. He was very poor at the WJC. He has good size and a heavy shot, but he is by no means any kind of lock for an NHL spot one day.
He will need a few years in Milwaukee before we can know if we have anything with him.
Predsanddead24
Registered User
- Mar 7, 2019
- 5,256
- 7,360
Yeah a lot of people seem to be real hopeful that Molendyk-Gibson will be our next Josi-Weber but its probably more likely they are our next Irwin-Weber. Not to be too much of a downer but that's just the reality of how prospect development tends to go.
Yeah, he didn’t have a great year. I like him as a future nhl d, but trending more 3rd pairing type.
Porter Stoutheart
Feliz Cinco De Lotto
- Jun 14, 2017
- 15,471
- 14,904
Well, I am a lot higher on Molendyk than Gibson, so I do expect Molendyk to be a top-4 NHL defender one day.
But that doesn't mean he plays in the NHL at 20, nor that he'll ever be a Josi either. Maybe an Ellis, just with better skating.
Yea I see Gibson as more a 3rd pairing move up guy to fill in on our top 4. I see fiddler and aitcheson as solid top 4 rhd
Users who are viewing this thread
Latest posts
-
-
-
-
-
Confirmed with Link: 2025 NHL DRAFT Thread: The Isles Have Won the 2025 Draft Lottery (27 Viewers)- Latest: Strummergas