Porter Martone, the Flyers sixth overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, has expressed a strong desire to make the team’s opening-night roster for the 2025-26 season. At 18 years old, the 6’3, 208-pound Right Winger from the Brampton Steelheads (OHL) brings a mix of size, skill, and playmaking ability, with 98 points (37 goals, 61 assists) in 57 games during the 2024-25 season. His elite vision, hockey sense, and physicality draw comparisons to power forwards like Matthew Tkachuk and Corey Perry, though his skating is noted as a weaker area that needs improvement.
“For me, my mindset is to make the NHL next year,” Martone said yesterday at Developmental Camp. “If management fuels, otherwise, that’s when I’ll talk to my agent (Go down the NCAA route). I want to play a full NHL season next year. When you come into camp, you have to earn it.”
Martone has already shown confidence in his NHL readiness, stating at the Flyers’ Development Camp that he aims to earn a spot in Training Camp this September. He acknowledges the need to put in work over the Summer, particularly to get stronger and faster, to compete at the NHL level. If he doesn’t make the roster, he’s open to discussing options like returning to juniors or exploring the NCAA route, with rumors of a potential Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal from Penn State.
Believe it or not, Martone said he’s going to take care of kids, the way some other NHL players have like Wayne Simmonds, whether that be with an autograph or a photo. He believes that’s important to make the kids day, maybe give them a brighter future, especially in the sport of hockey. Some may not know that Martone has a picture with Simmonds, following a practice when he was a kid.
Flyers’ General Manager Danny Brière has praised Martone’s near-NHL readiness, noting he’s “pretty close” and could be an option if Tyson Foerster misses extended time with his injury.
Martone’s familiarity with the organization, having grown up a Flyers fan with a Claude Giroux poster and a memorable birthday visit to a Flyers game, adds a personal drive to his ambition. His interactions with current Flyers like Travis Konecny, Travis Sanheim, and Tyson Foerster at the 2025 World Championships further fuel his motivation to join them.
While his goal is clear, Martone’s path depends on his performance at Training Camp and addressing concerns about his skating and consistency. If he refines these areas, his size-skill combo could see him contribute alongside talents like Matvei Michkov and Trevor Zegras, potentially forming a formidable young core for the Flyers’ rebuild.
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