Should Brady Martin start in Nashville or AHL? Weighing Predators' options
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Should Brady Martin start in Nashville or AHL? Weighing Predators' options
Alex Daugherty, Nashville Tennessean·The Tennessean
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4 min read
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A new rule that takes effect next season could alter the development path for top NHL prospects, includingNashville PredatorscenterBrady Martin.
Starting in 2026-27, American Hockey League (AHL) teams can roster one 19-year-old player as an exception to the 20-year-old minimum to play in the league. This exception is a part of an updated NHL-Canadian Hockey League (CHL) agreement, which accounts for the ever-evolving landscape of development options in hockey. With more players eyeing college as an option, this provides another for those ready to turn pro.
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This meansplayers like Martin, who doesn't turn 20 until March, won't be forced to return for a third junior hockey season next year. Instead, he can play for the Milwaukee Admirals, and he is free to move between the AHL and NHL all season.
Martin, thePredators' top pick (No. 5 overall) in 2025, made the roster out of training camp last season, debuted on opening night and played three games before going back to Sault Ste. Marie (OHL). He had a challenging year with the Greyhounds, which included amajor shoulder injuryat the world junior championships, but he seems ready toprove he's ready for the NHL.
Developmental Camp prospect forward Gavin Lindberg takes part in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
Developmental Camp prospect forward and 1st round draft pick Wyatt Cullen takes part in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
Developmental Camp prospect forward Brady Martin, left, participates in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
Developmental Camp prospect forward Brady Martin, left, participates in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
Developmental Camp prospect forward Viktor Norringer participates in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
Developmental Camp prospect defender Alex Huang celebrates his goal with defender and 4th round draft pick Jakub Floris, right, and forward Aiden Fink (18) as they participate in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
Developmental Camp prospect forward Philip Hemmyr participates in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
Developmental Camp prospect forward and 1st round draft pick Wyatt Cullen, seccond from left, is congratulated by goaltender Teagan Kendrick (37) and others after scoring while participating in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
Developmental Camp prospect forward Ryker Lee takes part in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
Developmental Camp prospect forward Teddy Stiga participates in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
Developmental Camp prospect forward Brady Martin participates in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
Developmental Camp prospect goaltender Jack Ivankovic defends the net while participating in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
Developmental Camp prospect forward Aiden Fink, second from left, participates in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
Developmental Camp prospectdefender and 4th round draft pick Jakub Floris, right, participates in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game with defender Owen Keefe (72) at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
Developmental Camp prospect forward Teddy Stiga participates in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
Developmental Camp prospect goaltender and third round draft pick Dmitri Borichev defends against forward Erik Pahlsson while participating in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
The Nashville Predators mascot Gnash gets a high five from Michael Hale, 10, during a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
Developmental Camp prospect defender Daniel Nieminen participates in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
1/18
Best photos from Nashville Predators Future Stars game
Developmental Camp prospect forward Gavin Lindberg takes part in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
1/18
Best photos from Nashville Predators Future Stars game
Developmental Camp prospect forward Gavin Lindberg takes part in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
2/18
Best photos from Nashville Predators Future Stars game
Developmental Camp prospect forward and 1st round draft pick Wyatt Cullen takes part in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
3/18
Best photos from Nashville Predators Future Stars game
Developmental Camp prospect forward Brady Martin, left, participates in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
4/18
Best photos from Nashville Predators Future Stars game
Developmental Camp prospect forward Brady Martin, left, participates in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
5/18
Best photos from Nashville Predators Future Stars game
Developmental Camp prospect forward Viktor Norringer participates in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
6/18
Best photos from Nashville Predators Future Stars game
Developmental Camp prospect defender Alex Huang celebrates his goal with defender and 4th round draft pick Jakub Floris, right, and forward Aiden Fink (18) as they participate in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
7/18
Best photos from Nashville Predators Future Stars game
Developmental Camp prospect forward Philip Hemmyr participates in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
8/18
Best photos from Nashville Predators Future Stars game
Developmental Camp prospect forward and 1st round draft pick Wyatt Cullen, seccond from left, is congratulated by goaltender Teagan Kendrick (37) and others after scoring while participating in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
9/18
Best photos from Nashville Predators Future Stars game
Developmental Camp prospect forward Ryker Lee takes part in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
10/18
Best photos from Nashville Predators Future Stars game
Developmental Camp prospect forward Teddy Stiga participates in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
11/18
Best photos from Nashville Predators Future Stars game
Developmental Camp prospect forward Brady Martin participates in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
12/18
Best photos from Nashville Predators Future Stars game
Developmental Camp prospect goaltender Jack Ivankovic defends the net while participating in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
13/18
Best photos from Nashville Predators Future Stars game
Developmental Camp prospect forward Aiden Fink, second from left, participates in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
14/18
Best photos from Nashville Predators Future Stars game
Developmental Camp prospectdefender and 4th round draft pick Jakub Floris, right, participates in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game with defender Owen Keefe (72) at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
15/18
Best photos from Nashville Predators Future Stars game
Developmental Camp prospect forward Teddy Stiga participates in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
16/18
Best photos from Nashville Predators Future Stars game
Developmental Camp prospect goaltender and third round draft pick Dmitri Borichev defends against forward Erik Pahlsson while participating in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
17/18
Best photos from Nashville Predators Future Stars game
The Nashville Predators mascot Gnash gets a high five from Michael Hale, 10, during a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
18/18
Best photos from Nashville Predators Future Stars game
Developmental Camp prospect defender Daniel Nieminen participates in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
(John Amis, John Amis/For The Tennessean)
"Just go out there, show what I have, compete, leave the ice and leave nothing left every time I'm out there," Martin said at development camp on July 1. "Show everyone here what I've got."
Why Brady Martin should start the season in Milwaukee
ThePredatorshave long used Milwaukee as a training ground for forward development.Filip Forsberg,Viktor Arvidsson,Kevin Fiala— name a big-time Predators forward prospect, they probably spent time with the Admirals.
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Mostly, it has been successful. Some players found themselves stuck in a development spiral —Eeli TolvanenandPhilip Tomasinoyo-yoed between the two cities, to their detriment. But then there'sLuke EvangelistaandColton Sissons, who used Milwaukee as a launching pad to Nashville.
As a top-five pick, Martin has higher expectations, but should be treated the same.
The AHL is a physically demanding league, even if with lower stakes. The schedule is similar to what players experience in the CHL — a typical week includes training and off-days during the week, then three games back-to-back-to-back over the weekend. In games, they'll face older, bigger, more refined opponents.
Why Brady Martin should start the season in Nashville
Last spring, with his 2025-26 OHL season concluded, Martin played in three playoff games for the Admirals. He also scored his first professional goal, finishing off a nice drive up the middle in his first game for Milwaukee.
Maybe that's all he needed. Get his feet wet, play a few AHL games, then focus on bulking up during the summer ahead of training camp.
Developmental Camp prospect forward Brady Martin participates in a Nashville Predators' Future Stars hockey game at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
Mentally, Martin seems ready for the challenge.
"I used to just get away with just being skilled," he said during development camp. "(In junior), you're kind of bigger than everyone, but in the NHL, everyone's big and strong and fast so you've got to move to that next level."
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With the new rule, Martin can always be sent down to Milwaukee midseason if he needs a reset. That's what happened with Forsberg in 2013: After debuting in April, he started with the Predators that October, but was sent down to Milwaukee in November and spent the rest of the season in the AHL. That preceded a 63-point rookie year in 2014-15, and eventually, a tremendous career in Nashville.
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. He never uses artificial intelligence when developing or drafting stories. Contact Alex atjdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
