Porter Martone (RW, R, 6’3″, 196, Brampton Steelheads, 10/26/2006)
Porter Martone, a 6’3″, 200-pound right-shot right wing, is emerging as a top candidate for the 2025 NHL Draft, with a rare combination of size, skill, and mentality that makes him a highly craved prospect. Martone has shown the traits of a dominant power forward with a strong offensive toolkit, an imposing physical presence, and a knack for making game-changing plays. However, to solidify his position as the top pick in the draft, he must continue to develop key areas of his game during the 2024/25 season.
Strengths:
- Power Forward Skill Set: Martone’s size and strength are defining attributes of his game. He excels in using his body to protect the puck, especially along the boards and in front of the opponent’s net. He is difficult to contain in the offensive zone, both on the cycle and in battling for loose pucks below the tops of the circles. His ability to absorb and dish out contact makes him a prototypical power forward that NHL teams covet.
- Puck Control and Offensive Instincts: Martone possesses excellent puck control for a player of his size, displaying soft hands in tight spaces and the ability to make creative plays in traffic. His quick release and heavy shot are significant offensive weapons, and he consistently finds ways to generate scoring opportunities. His highlight-reel goal against Team USA, during the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup where he deked through defenders and finished with composure, is a testament to his high-end skill and confidence with the puck.
- Hockey IQ and Playmaking: Martone has shown a high hockey IQ, particularly in his ability to read the play and make smart decisions after recognizing an opposing player’s mistake. Whether it’s head-checking to scan the ice before retrieving pucks or threading a perfect pass to set up a teammate for a breakaway, Martone is an unselfish player with strong vision. His playmaking complements his goal-scoring ability, making him a dual-threat in the offensive zone.
- Physicality and Competitive Edge: Martone plays with a mean streak, often engaging physically and not shying away from battles. He plays on the edge, using his size and strength to intimidate opponents, which is a valuable trait for a power forward. His energy and intensity on the ice contribute to his ability to consistently win puck battles and be a force along the boards.
- Performance Under Pressure: Martone’s ability to perform in high-stakes situations, such as international tournaments, has turned heads. His contributions in key moments, including a goal and assist in critical games, along with his ability to draw penalties, highlight his impact when the stakes are highest.
Areas for Improvement:
- Skating: While Martone is effective with his size and skill, his skating is currently average for the National Hockey League. Improving his stride extension, edge work, and acceleration will be crucial as he transitions to higher levels of competition. Enhanced mobility will allow him to be more dynamic in all three zones, especially as he faces faster, more skilled opponents.
- Consistency in Physical Engagement: Martone has the physical tools to dominate, but scouts will be looking for him to bring that edge and intensity on a shift-by-shift basis. Developing more consistency in his physical play will help him maximize his impact and become an even more difficult player to play against.
- Shooting from Suboptimal Positions: While Martone possesses a strong shot, he needs to work on shooting from less-than-ideal situations, particularly on his backhand, to create net front chaos. There are moments where he opts to pass rather than shoot from his backhand, leading to “hope passes” and eventually turnovers. Becoming more comfortable in these situations will make him an even more dangerous scorer around the net.
- Puck Handling Under Pressure: Although Martone is strong with the puck, he can still improve his ability to maintain control under heavy pressure, particularly when cycling the puck or handling difficult passes. Continued development in this area will allow him to dominate possession even when faced with aggressive defenders.
Conclusion: Porter Martone has all the makings of a top pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. His size, strength, offensive instincts, and ability to impact the game in various ways make him a rare and valuable prospect. However, continued improvement in his skating, consistency in physical play, and ability to finish from suboptimal positions will be key to solidifying his status as the top selection. If Martone can refine these areas during the 2024/25 season, he has the potential to become a dominant force at the NHL level.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images