With the 2025 NHL Entry Draft approaching fast, POHO and GM Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins have their work cut out for them.
Since the Penguins have a total of 30 picks over the next three drafts, including 11 this year - which could reduce to 10 if the conditional first-round pick from the New York Rangers defers to 2026 - there will be plenty of opportunity for the Penguins to add impact players. Of their 11 picks in 2025, six of them are in the first three rounds.
After the results of the draft lottery on May 5, the Penguins - as of now - will select 11th overall, dropping down two spots from where they originally were at ninth. And, normally, at this point, we compile a list of potential draft selections who could be available at 11 - which includes the likes of players such as right wing Justin Carbonneau, defenseman Radim Mrtka, and defenseman Jackson Smith.
However, with the recent report that the Penguins are interested in moving up in the draft, perhaps it's fitting to take a look at a player they seem to like a lot - and a player who will, likely, be drafted in the top-five.
That player would be right winger Porter Martone.
Should The Penguins Trade Up For Higher Draft Pick?With the month of June in full swing, buzz around the 2025 NHL Entry Draft is heating up.
Porter Martone
DOB: Oct. 26, 2006 (Age 18)
Position: Right wing
Shoots: Right
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 208 pounds
Team: Brampton Steelheads (OHL)
Rumor has it that Dubas is very high on Martone. At the recent NHL scouting combine in Buffalo, it was reported by The Athletic's Josh Yohe and several others that he took Martone to dinner and had a lengthy interaction with him.
It's also worth noting that Martone was part of Team Canada at the IIHF World Championship in May, and he thoroughly impressed Canada's brass at the event.
NHL Draft Prospect Porter Martone Impresses Team Canada Staff At World ChampionshipUnlike most NHL drafts, there hasn't been a sure-fire first-overall pick all season long. Several talented prospects were part of the conversation, even if defenseman Matthew Schaefer is now the front-runner.
In fact, Martone gave folks a "self-scouting" report of sorts.
"I'm a big power forward who has a really good hockey IQ," Martone said. "I try to be a hard player to play against. You see the NHL playoffs right now, and it's hard, they play hard. I just try to go out there and be a hard player to play against. When I get a chance in the offensive zone, I can drain it."
And, by all accounts, that seems pretty spot-on.
Porter Martone with his 14th goal in his 12th game. Only Michael Misa has more among all CHLers pic.twitter.com/urU75n8Ut6
— Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) November 2, 2024
The big-bodied forward put up big numbers in the OHL for the Steelheads this season, registering 37 goals and 98 points in just 57 games. He has advanced hockey IQ and playmaking skills, and he can stickhandle in a phone booth and beat you anywhere in any zone on the ice.
He has a shot that will play at the NHL level, he has passing ability that will certainly translate, his hands are elite, and - again - that hockey sense is nothing to scoff at.
TIC-TAC-GOAL🚨🤯@DallasStars prospect Angus MacDonell finishes off a beauty play with Porter Martone and Finn Harding, giving @OHLSteelheads their second of the night!🐟#OHL | @CHLHockey | #TexasHockeypic.twitter.com/I4oHNfNUEK
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) February 22, 2025
PORTER MARTONE MAKES IT LOOK EASY‼️#SteelStrongpic.twitter.com/n3u6ssWXst
— Brampton Steelheads (@OHLSteelheads) October 8, 2023
But another thing that stands out is his play at the net-front. He would be extremely useful on an NHL power play with his ability to battle for positioning and his willingness to use his frame and physicality to create and capitalize on second-chance opportunities. Martone is hard to play against because of his rare combination of skill, size, and physicality, and he's a player who is almost always going to win puck battles and one-on-one situations.
He's a bit heavy-footed, and - much like Penguins' prospect Rutger McGroarty - his skating will need to improve a bit for him to truly hit his potential at the NHL level. But, like McGroarty, his ability to outthink opponents with his vision and IQ allow him to play a speed game mentally, which could help compensate for any lack of skating ability.
2 Prime Penguins Breakout Candidates For 2025-26 SeasonThe Pittsburgh Penguins are currently retooling their roster as they look to become a playoff team again. Because of this, the Metropolitan Division club will be hoping that some of their young players will take a notable step forward in their development next season.
Martone is, arguably, the most skilled forward in this entire draft class. And, yes, that includes Michael Misa. He also plays with a competitive fire that is hard for anyone in his class to rival.
Most projections have Martone being drafted in the top-five. If Dubas wants Martone as much as it seems, he will have no choice but to trade up.
If that's ultimately what Dubas and his staff decide to do, the Penguins will be getting a good one. The sky is the limit for Martone, and there is a decent chance that he can make an impact at the NHL level relatively quickly.
And those are the types of prospects the Penguins desperately need in their organization.
Penguins Draft Prospect Profile: Jackson SmithWith the 2025 NHL Entry Draft approaching fast, POHO and GM Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins have their work cut out for them.
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Photo credit: Natalie Shaver - OHL Images