The Philadelphia Flyers are intensifying their scouting efforts as the 2025 NHL draft approaches. Following a recent report that James Hagens met with the team in the Philadelphia area, Porter Martone has now confirmed his own visit to New Jersey, as revealed in an update from Los Angeles.
Martone is being touted as the top winger in this draft class and, following the Flyers’ acquisition of Trevor Zegras, the team’s strategy might lean towards prioritizing wingers over centers. Even though the Flyers have several skilled right-wingers like Bobby Brink, Travis Konecny, and Matvei Michkov, Martone stands out due to his considerable size at 6-foot-3 and 204 pounds, along with his exceptional skill set and leadership qualities.
Chris Peters, an NHL draft analyst, praised Martone, highlighting his potential as a power forward while noting that he might need to play a more physical game given his stature. Peters emphasized Martone’s playmaking capabilities, suggesting he is more of a skilled player, which makes him a highly sought-after prospect.
Martone has had an impressive season with the Brampton team in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), scoring 37 goals and accumulating 98 points in 57 games, placing him amongst the top scorers in the league. Additionally, he demonstrated his abilities in playoff games, contributing four goals and five assists in six outings. His reputation is further strengthened by his leadership role as captain in Brampton and his history representing Hockey Canada.
Interestingly, Martone has connections to the Flyers organization, having billeted with the same family as current player Owen Tippett. He is also familiar with Travis Konecny, Travis Sanheim, and Tyson Foerster from their time together on the Canadian team at the recent World Championships. Martone spoke highly of his experiences with these players, reinforcing the strong camaraderie and dedication that comes with being part of the Flyers’ culture.
Overall, the Flyers appear to be making calculated decisions as they prepare for the draft, and Martone’s profile suggests he could be a significant asset to the team in the future. His combination of size, skill, and leadership could help bolster Philadelphia’s roster as they aim for success in the coming seasons.