Brady Martin, the Nashville Predators' No. 5 overall pick, was not at the NHL draft in Los Angeles. After being selected, he explained his decision.

Brady Martin, who the Predators selected with the No. 5 overall pick in the NHL Draft, was in Nashville on June 28 along with other first-round picks

Long before the Predators were scheduled to make the fifth overall selection at the 2025 NHL Draft in Los Angeles, Nashville General Manager Barry Trotz and Co. had a pretty good idea of who they were hoping to add with the pick. So, when the Preds were up on Friday night at the Peacock Theater, they didn’t hesitate.