Grading all 7 picks of Nashville Predators' 2025 draft class from Brady Martin to Daniel Nieminen
According to general manager Barry Trotz, the Nashville Predators accomplished exactly what they wanted with their 2025 draft class.
"We did a good job of getting people that had skill, character, and really strong upside," Trotz told reporters June 28 at Bridgestone Arena. "We added a lot to our mix."
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While their top pick, No. 5 overall selection forward Brady Martin, will define the quality of the class, the Predators added six other players: one forward, four defensemen and one goaltender.
Here are our grades for all seven players drafted by the Predators at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on June 27-28.
Brady Martin, center (No. 5 overall): B-
At face value, Martin is a good pick. But for better or worse, his career will be forever tied to Boston Bruins forward James Hagens and Philadelphia Flyers winger Porter Martone.
Trotz electing to pick Martin, an "in your face" physical center, over the offensive upside of Hagens and Martone, was a surprise. It may end up working out, especially if Martin ends up developing into a Sam Bennett type, but it's a risk at No. 5 overall.
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Not for nothing, Martin should have a quick path to Nashville, which could jump-start the team in the short run.
MARTIN: Why Nashville Predators' top pick Brady Martin did not attend 2025 NHL Draft
Cameron Reid, defenseman (No. 21): B+
On skating ability alone, Cameron Reid is a great pick. The Predators have been stocking up on fleet-of-foot defensemen like Tanner Molendyk, Spencer Stastney and Ryan Ufko, and Reid fits right in that mold. If he continues to develop his puck-handling and offensive vision, we could be looking at a steal of a pick with Reid.
The only knock is not opting for a right-handed defenseman, when many good ones were on the board. Hopefully Reid makes that a moot point with a solid NHL career.
Ryker Lee, forward (No. 26): B-
The Predators don't often place futures bets on offensive forwards. They typically like high-floor, low-ceiling forwards, especially late in the first round. So taking Ryker Lee, who scored 31 goals in the rough-and-tumble USHL, is a gamble on his future as a top-six scorer. It's a breath of fresh air and perhaps a sign of a new draft strategy for Nashville.
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Still, Lee isn't a plug-and-play skater. He'll take time to develop and could end up doing nothing at all in the NHL. His upcoming first season with Michigan State will tell us a lot.
Jacob Rombach, defenseman (No. 35): D
Rombach isn't a sexy pick and is overvalued at No. 35. The 6-foot-6, 200-pound, left-handed defenseman projects as a shutdown player on the back end with very little offensive upside. Defense-first defensemen are a dying breed, but Rombach will try to survive the species.
With other more well-rounded — not to mention right-handed — defensemen like Blake Fiddler and Max Psenicka still on the board, this pick is hard to figure.
Jack Ivankovic, goaltender (No. 58): A
Even before learning that Jack Ivankovic was a fan of Predators goaltending legend Pekka Rinne, you have to like this pick. Ivankovic has the blend of edgework, tracking ability, confidence and vision that you love to see in a modern NHL goalie. Under the tutelage of his role model Rinne, goalie coach Ben Vanderklok and director of goaltending Mitch Korn, Ivankovic has a chance to prove himself a steal in the second round.
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Ivankovic will play for the Michigan Wolverines next season and show what he's capable of.
BRANTFORD, CANADA - JANUARY 15: Jack Ivankovic of the Brampton Steelheads makes a save against Michael Misa of the Saginaw Spirit during the game between the OHL East and OHL West conferences during the Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game at Brantford & District Civic Centre on January 15, 2025 in Brantford, Canada. (Photo by)
Alex Huang, defenseman (No. 122): A
The Predators make up for the Rombach pick with swift-skating Alex Huang of the Chicoutimi Saguenéens in the QMJHL. He's a highly effective puck-moving defenseman, adept at getting the puck up the ice on his own or with passing. While probably a long-term project, he has the potential to be a second-unit power-play quarterback type.
Also, finally, a right-handed defenseman to add to their pool.
Daniel Nieminen, defenseman (No. 163): C
Another good skater, Daniel Nieminen is an overage player as a 19-year-old. He had limited production for the Lahti Pelicans in the Finnish Elite League last season — only four goals and seven assists in 39 games — but he was playing against adults as an 18-year-old. With some work, he could develop into a fringe NHL player.
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ESTES: The Nashville Predators do have a type, and draft pick Brady Martin was it
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@gannett.com. 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: Grading all 7 selections of Nashville Predators' 2025 draft class
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