After the Nashville Predators made the fifth pick earlier tonight, it's become painfully obvious that one notable veteran player will find himself on the hot seat. See, the Predators are in a unique situation. They could be good enough to get a few years out of their current lineup, even following a poor season.
But, there's also a chance we'll see a repeat of last year, and it's something I'm sure I don't need to rehash to Preds fans. Regardless of what the Preds do this season, that fifth-overall pick just put one notable player on the hot seat.
And that player is Steven Stamkos. Oh, wait, Todd, stop, hold up, wait a minute. What'd you just say? Steven Stamkos? The Steven Stamkos? Yeah, Brady Martin coming into the system will put Stamkos on the hot seat, even if the Preds could move on from other centers first.
Nashville Predators will be looking to move on from a rough chapter if they keep losing
Listen, Steven Stamkos was supposed to help transform the Predators into a championship-caliber team following a legendary career with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Instead, they got a watered-down version of Stamkos who finished the season with 53 points and 27 goals.
Not bad numbers. But Stamkos, who was in his age-34 season, just saw his numbers tank compared to what they were in 2023-24, his final season in the Bay Area. That year, he put up 40 goals and 81 points in 79 games. He didn't even come close to that this season.
Enter Brady Martin, who has the size, skill, swagger, and a strong dose of humble pie that NHL teams look for. The kid's already going to be a fan-favorite for skipping the NHL Draft so he could milk cows. For me, that's the kind of player I want in Smashville.
And going at No. 5 overall? Hey, it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if he's heading to the NHL starting in 2026-27 if the Predators struggle again. And it also wouldn't surprise me if Stamkos waived his no-movement clause so he can help end this potentially ill-fated experiment.
Brady Martin could be Steven Stamkos' replacement sooner than you think
Hey, if the Preds are going to keep struggling with the likes of Stamkos and Company, then why even do this? Get the kids up and into the NHL level as fast as you can, as long as they're ready, and begin a new and improved chapter in team history.
Plus, even if Stamkos isn't the player he was, there's no doubt a contending team would be more than willing to overpay for him. His production dropped, but he's someone who could slide right into the middle six for a contender. Guaranteed.
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