Porter Martone, an 18-year-old Right Wing for the Brampton Steelheads (OHL), is a top prospect for the 2025 NHL Draft, consistently ranked among the top 3-6 by major scouting outlets (e.g., Elite Prospects #3, TSN/Bob McKenzie #4, Daily Faceoff #4). At 6’3 and 208 pounds, he combines size, skill, and a high hockey IQ, drawing comparisons to Corey Perry and Matthew Tkachuk, though his physicality is less aggressive than the latter.
Strengths:
- Offensive Skillset: Martone is a dynamic playmaker with elite vision and passing, often finding teammates with precise, tape-to-tape passes through traffic. His wrist shot is heavy and quick, making him a dual threat as a scorer (36 goals in 2024-25) and setup man (61 assists, 97 points in 57 OHL games). His 1.70 points-per-game average ranks 8th in the OHL.
- Puck Handling: Exceptional hands allow him to control the puck in tight spaces, evade defenders, and create scoring chances. He’s adept at cycling, protecting the puck with his frame, and driving to high-danger areas.
- Physical Presence: His size and strength make him tough to dislodge along the boards or in front of the net. He’s effective on the forecheck, creating turnovers with well-timed hits and stick work.
- Hockey IQ: Martone reads the game at an elite level, anticipating plays, exploiting defensive gaps, and positioning himself to maximize offensive impact. Scouts praise his ability to “think the game” and stay connected with linemates.
- Leadership: Captain of the Steelheads and Canada’s U18 team (gold medal, 2024), he’s a vocal leader who thrives in high-pressure moments.
Areas for Improvement:
- Skating: While improved, his skating lacks elite speed and explosiveness. His first few steps are heavy, and his stride is described as “wonky,” limiting his ability to create separation at top speed. Enhancing stride efficiency and edgework is critical for NHL success.
- Consistency: Martone can dominate games but occasionally lacks focus, taking unnecessary penalties or disengaging defensively. Scouts want shift-by-shift intensity, especially in physical battles.
- Defensive Play: While responsible defensively (blocks shots, backchecks), he can lapse in coverage, particularly in weak-side positioning. Improving defensive reads will round out his game.
- Physical Engagement: Despite his size, he’s not a “brute-force” power forward like the Tkachuk:s. Some scouts wish he’d use his frame more consistently to impose physical dominance.
Martone projects as a top-six NHL Winger with first-line potential, capable of 70-80 points while adding physicality. His blend of skill, size, and intangibles makes him a safe bet for a top-5 pick, though skating improvements could elevate him to #1 contention. A team seeking offensive firepower, like the Flyers, may target him, if he so happens to fall out of the top five.
Notable Performances:
- 2024-25 OHL: 97 points (36G, 61A) in 57 games, 2nd among draft-eligible OHL players.
- 2024 U18 WJC: 17 points (5G, 12A) in 7 games, one of the best tournament performances.
- World Juniors 2025: Limited role (scratched some games), raising questions about pace and fit in high-tempo systems, though coaching decisions were criticized.
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