Scout’s Analysis: Cootes, Martin make sturdy case for nine-game NHL audition

With the NHL pre-season heading in the direction of the second weekend of exhibition video games, a few of the most not too long ago drafted rookies are pushing exhausting to earn roster spots at first of the common season. It’s clearly not straightforward to earn a job within the high league on the planet as a youngster, however some prospects are extra prepared than others based mostly on their “all-round” sport.

Vancouver Canucks prospect Braeden Cootes (fifteenth general) and Nashville Predators rookie Brady Martin (fifth) are each having excellent coaching camps with their respective golf equipment. The journey isn’t full fairly but, and the video games will get more durable in the direction of the beginning of the pre-season, however the two forwards seem well-positioned to probably make their NHL debuts in early October.

What stands out about Cootes and Martin, in comparison with different prospects, is the best way they strategy the sport general. They each play with infectious power and enthusiasm.

When I’m scouting a prospect, they must current core values inside their sport:

1. Skating: Does the prospect skate effectively sufficient to maintain up with the tempo of the NHL sport?

2. Hockey IQ: Is the participant conscious of his obligations on and off the puck in all three zones?

3. Compete: The NHL is a tough league. Is the prospect prepared to persistently outwork his opponent?

One of my favorite clips from final 12 months, out of any prospect I scouted, is the next one from Cootes:

The sequence speaks for itself. Cootes was engaged defensively, tracked down a free puck within the impartial zone, and fearlessly took the play to the online. And I really like his response after being pushed via the online by his opponent.

Not to be outdone, right here’s an instance of what Nashville absolutely loves about Martin’s strategy:

Martin was the toughest hitting ahead within the 2025 draft class. He doesn’t shrink back from anybody in any zone. It’s a bonus to know {that a} prospect, after they aren’t producing offence, continues to be programmed to make life depressing on their opponents with a bodily strategy.

It’s at all times attention-grabbing to look again on prospect studies to find out whether or not or not they’re trending within the route that I forecasted. Did they arrive at their first NHL camp bodily ready? Are they enjoying the identical model in a professional setting?

Here’s a have a look at my end-of-season, pre-draft studies from final spring on Cootes and Martin:

Cootes: “Ended his draft year on a high note, captaining Team Canada’s U18 team to a gold medal at the World Championship in Texas. He’s a relentless competitor who leads by example. His detail in all three zones speaks to his hockey sense. When he isn’t producing offence he’s always on the right side of the puck and willing to do whatever it takes to contribute to positive team results. Cootes is a sturdy/strong centre who is best described as equal parts shooter and distributor. He produced 6G-6A in seven games at the worlds and was a plus-7. He has top six NHL upside and the skill set to be deployed in all situations.”

Martin: “A fearless competitor and the toughest hitting ahead within the 2025 draft class. He by no means backs down from contact or battling for pucks within the exhausting areas (internet entrance, alongside the boards, and pressuring opponents up ice). Martin has a fast launch. He’s exceptionally harmful between the hash marks within the offensive zone. Martin is one other prospect on this class who performs the sport with dependable element and energy in all three zones. He will be deployed in all conditions. He’s a reliable prospect who leads by instance. At the U18 World Championship he contributed 3G-8A, hit the whole lot in sight, was whistled for 29 penalty minutes and completed the match plus-15 in solely seven video games performed.”

Making an NHL case within the pre-season

It comes as no shock that each Martin and Cootes are having impactful coaching camps. The kids solely had a few months to coach and put together for his or her first NHL expertise, however they’re enjoying to their identities and are clearly positioning themselves to push for roster spots in October.

In Cootes’ first and solely pre-season sport to this point he logged 14:56 of ice time, received 57 per cent of the attracts he took, and recorded this major help on Victor Mancini’s aim. Cootes makes a pleasant little move on the blue line to ensure the Canucks management the play within the offensive zone, then dishes once more to Mancini who strikes.

Martin had a giant sport Tuesday evening for the Predators, scoring the primary two objectives in a sport that led to a 3-2 Nashville loss. In this spotlight, Martin forechecks down low to assist his teammate Brady Skjei, will get the puck to the online entrance, then finds quiet ice for himself, pounces on the puck when a possibility was introduced, and buried the aim.

Martin registered 14:19 of ice time within the sport, two hits, two blocks and three pictures. Aside from the 2 objectives he scored, his different shot on aim was one other wonderful look.

I converse typically about gamers on the NHL degree presenting an “A” sport however needing to again it up with a “B” sport. On the times a scorer isn’t placing the puck within the internet or making performs organising teammates it’s vital that they compete within the different areas of the sport. Their off-the-puck element, bodily push again, success price within the face-off circle and willingness to dam pictures are essential in-game situations that might result in group outcomes.

Both Martin and Cootes have “A” and “B” video games that can translate to the NHL before later. They are mature past their years with their general strategy and at all times prepared to do no matter it takes to earn optimistic outcomes for his or her group.

There continues to be a few week of pre-season hockey for them to go away all of it on the ice, and shortly we’ll see if their NHL groups determine to present them a glance within the common season. If both or each crack the roster out of camp, the primary vital marker will likely be at 10 video games. These two gamers can play as much as 9 NHL video games earlier than the primary 12 months of their entry-level contract is burned.

The extra vital marker comes afterward. If both participant is on the NHL roster for 40 video games, it should depend as an accrued season and never solely burn a 12 months off their ELC, but additionally transfer them one 12 months nearer to free company. At that time, nonetheless, it is extra probably they’re within the NHL for good anyway.

If Cootes and Martin do not keep on with their NHL groups, they will head again to main junior for an additional season.