Scout's Analysis: Can Porter Martone help Philadelphia's playoff push?

The last time the Philadelphia Flyers had a highly anticipated scoring winger coming out of the NCAA, it didn't go so well.

Cutter Gauthier, the fifth-overall pick in 2022, refused to sign with Philadelphia, leading to a trade with the Ducks. Gauthier scored 20 goals for Anaheim last season and is approaching 40 this season.

So, when Porter Martone's season with Michigan State ended over the weekend, you could forgive Flyers fans who were hoping for a quick signing to bring him up into the pros and ensure he's part of the organization from here. The sixth-overall pick in last June's draft, Martone was among the top scorers in the NCAA after making the move over from the OHL's Brampton Steelheads.

Unlike James Hagens, who signed an amateur tryout contract with the Providence Bruins to get his pro career started, Martone signed his entry-level contract on Sunday with an NHL team and he could get into some big-time games down the stretch as Philadelphia challenges for a playoff spot. The Flyers have won three in a row and eight of their past 10, now just two points out of the wild card.

But how, exactly, can a 19-year-old help?

Philadelphia GM Daniel Briere believes Martone is ready for the jump and, interestingly, talked about how the transition from the OHL to the NCAA helped prepare the winger for top-level hockey after he spent the season playing against older players and preparing his body for the big leagues.

"The way he's developed physically," Briere said, when asked how Martone has improved this season. "And that was the biggest reason for encouraging the move to the NCAA this season: To have a stepping stone from the OHL to the NHL, developing his body, getting stronger. I think the amount of time he spent in the gym, you can see in his body how it's changed. It's almost going from a teenager to a man and his play on the ice spoke for itself.

"Playing against men in the NCAA, there's a lot of strong players that are much older than the 16- or 17-year-olds in the CHL, so It was a good stepping stone for him."

The Flyers are on a roll and have nine games remaining, so how long will they wait to put a teenager into this streaking lineup? This week. Philadelphia travels to Washington for a game on Tuesday, before returning home to face Detroit on Thursday, and going into New York to play against the Islanders on Friday.

Briere suggested the Flyers are ready to use him immediately and won't necessarily let the playoff race play out much longer. The GM was open to the possibility of Martone debuting against Washington.

"We're not closing down the window for Tuesday, assuming everything goes according to plan. There's paperwork to be done, there's doctors' visits to be done as well. We're hopeful that Tuesday could be (the) game, but we'll see. I don't want to get too far ahead of myself."

SCOUT'S ANALYSIS

For a closer look at Martone, we posed a few questions to our scout Jason Bukala.

After being picked sixth overall last June, how did Martone’s game develop at Michigan State this season? Would you rank him ahead of any of last year’s top five today?

Martone played to his offensive identity. His power-forward approach to the game resulted in Martone tying for sixth overall in the college hockey scoring race with 25 goals and 25 assists. Out of the top 50 scorers, Martone had the second-most penalty minutes (78), which speaks to his willingness to engage in hard areas and push back physically.

He's added more strength to his frame, resulting in even more leverage along the boards and out front of the opponent's net than he had before the Flyers selected him sixth overall. He's trending toward being a top-six forward and goal scorer for the Flyers.  

As far as comparing Martone to the players selected ahead of him, it's too early to judge. Everyone on the list provides something unique to the teams that drafted them. That said, I do believe that, in time, Martone will eventually provide the Flyers with an extra layer of offence. He will develop into another checking distraction for opponents, which should open up more space for his linemates and other shooters on the Flyers' roster, like Owen Tippett. 

If you had to compare Martone’s game to a current or former NHLer, who would it be and why?

The player I compare Martone to is Anaheim Ducks rookie Beckett Sennecke. They are very similar in stature, difficult to check and impact the game offensively. I would also point out that both players are a work in progress defensively, and it will take time to button down that side of their game at the NHL level.  

What kind of opportunity do you think Martone should be given the rest of this NHL season, and can he help Philadelphia’s playoff push?

Philadelphia is on the cusp of earning a playoff spot. The Flyers are 8-1-1 in their last 10 games. It's going to be interesting to see how head coach Rick Tocchet deploys Martone. His group has been battling for one another, so it's hard to imagine Tocchet wanting to upset what has been working well.

That said, I could see Martone earning an opportunity similar to Ryan Leonard's last spring, when he left Boston College to sign with the Washington Capitals. Leonard averaged 14 minutes of ice time with the Caps. The biggest difference might come with the man advantage; Philadelphia has the worst power play in the NHL (15.6 per cent). Martone gives the Flyers an option on the flank, bumper, or net-front with the man advantage.  

What do you project Martone to bring over a full NHL season in 2026-27?

I project Martone as a prospect who should challenge for a top-six role with the Flyers next fall, but it won't be handed to him. Martone is a winger and the Flyers have more of a strength there than they do at centre.

Martone has the potential to stand out offensively, but his defensive game remains a work in progress, and Tocchet demands attention to detail in all three zones. Martone will have to adjust to the speed and size of the NHL game, but he certainly proved he's up to the challenge this season at Michigan State. The bulk of Martone's ice time will come at even strength and on the power play.