Boston Bruins, 2025 NHL Draft, Brady Martin, and center prospects are at the heart of Boston’s scouting push ahead of their pivotal No. 7 selection.
Bruins treat OHL forward to dinner as draft interest intensifies
With the 2025 NHL Draft just weeks away, the Bruins’ front office hasn’t left anything to chance.
Holding the seventh overall pick, Boston has zeroed in on two notable Ontario Hockey League prospects, Jake O’Brien and Brady Martin, both of whom were present at this year’s NHL Combine.
But it’s Martin, a 6-foot, two-way center with bite to his game, who might be drawing a little more attention than expected.
The 18-year-old confirmed this week that he was among the select few players Boston chose to take out for a pre-draft dinner, a telling gesture.
He wasn’t alone in that experience, either. The Utah Mammoth, Philadelphia Flyers, and Nashville Predators, all of whom pick higher than Boston, extended the same invitation.
A gritty style that mirrors Boston’s identity
Martin isn’t shy about how he plays.
His 2024-25 campaign with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds was his most productive yet, racking up 33 goals and 39 assists for 72 points across the OHL season. But beyond his numbers, it’s the way he competes that makes him stand out.
The teenager embraces the physical side of the game. He wins board battles, finishes checks, and doesn’t back down. His style reflects the mold of two NHL veterans he admires most.
Tom Wilson and Sam Bennett are two guys I’ve always looked up to,
Martin said at the Combine.
I try to bring that same edge and compete level every night.
It’s that mix — offensive upside and a bruising edge — that could make him an appealing fit for Boston’s future.
Bruins need long-term answers at center
While the Bruins have stayed competitive, their center depth has gradually thinned. With Patrice Bergeron retired and David Krejci long gone, Boston lacks a true No. 1 center in the pipeline.
Charlie Coyle and Pavel Zacha have held things together, but neither profiles as a long-term top-line fixture.
That’s what makes this pick so important, and why a player like Martin is in the conversation.
Though his skating has been flagged as an area for development, most scouts believe it’s fixable. What can’t be taught, they argue, is how hard he plays.
One scout described him as the kind of forward you need if you want to get through two or three playoff rounds. Another went further, calling Martin a future utility guy who can win you games in the mud.
Why Boston’s dinner invite might speak volumes
Teams don’t waste their time, or dinners, on players they’re unsure about.
The fact Boston sat down with Martin, alongside teams with higher draft slots, suggests the Bruins are weighing their options carefully. Whether that means staying put at No. 7 or exploring ways to move up depends on how the board unfolds.
As for Jake O’Brien, he remains in the mix too. But Martin’s blend of size, edge, and two-way ability seems to check a lot of the Bruins’ boxes, especially given the club’s historical identity.
If they’re looking for someone to grow into a role, bring the heat in tough playoff minutes, and possibly anchor the middle six for years to come, Martin might be exactly what they’re hoping to find.
