Philadelphia Flyers
Porter Martone Decision: Right Path, Yet Wrong Decision
With the announcement of his commitment to Michigan State, Porter Martone is officially headed to the NCAA.
The Flyers’ top prospect, despite his wishes to join the NHL roster as soon as possible, has become yet another big domino to fall in the CHL-to-NCAA pipeline. Now, Martone will join a fantastic Spartans’ recruiting class that also includes Medicine Hat star Cayden Lindstrom and Nashville first-rounder Ryker Lee.
Beyond that, Martone will be teammates with fellow Flyers’ 2025 draft pick Shane Vansaghi, who will be a sophomore for the Spartans this year.
The NCAA is undoubtedly the right path for Martone’s development. Michigan State is a fantastic spot to do so. Yet, somehow, it still feels like the wrong decision.
Read More: Matvei Michkov Rips on Boring Dump-and-Chase Hockey
The Right Path
I have said this before and I will say it again. The plan for Martone should have been NCAA or the NHL–a return to the OHL should not, and was not in the cards. To me, that is more than half the reason that the NCAA is the right path for Martone.
Yes, the OHL is a top league, but Martone has already proven his talents are beyond the CHL. Will he be beyond the talent in the NCAA? Probably. But at least he will be playing against bigger and stronger competition, preparing for the NHL. With how big Martone is, the size and strength of his opponents will also play a key role in his development.
On draft night, Martone told the media that he wants to make the NHL as soon as possible, but to do so, he knows he needs to get bigger, stronger, and faster.
Division 1 hockey facilities are no joke. NCAA athletes get taken care of. Martone will be able to get bigger, stronger, and faster at Michigan State. Between their insane facilities and nutrition plans, the NCAA is the best spot.
Not to mention that Adam Nightengale, his new head coach, is a great developer, and will only help Martone improve on his game. The Spartans under Nightengale have been a completely different program.
Let’s not forget that Martone has been a primary RW for most of his career. The Flyers see him as a player who can play on his off-wing. While you can learn a new position in the NHL, it’s a lot easier to do so in college, rather than the NHL.
Did Martone Make the Wrong Decision?
I cannot say enough good things about NCAA Ice Hockey. It really is the best spot for a young, talented player like Martone to continue developing. Yet, somehow, it still feels like Martone made the wrong choice.
There is always the chance that Martone did not make this decision. He wanted to make the NHL as fast as possible, but there is a deadline to enroll in a university to be eligable for NCAA. So, his choice was to go to college, or try to make the NHL roster and risk going back to Brampton.
With the current Flyers roster, it might have been hard for a still developing Martone to crack the top six, which is ultimately where he needs to be getting minutes.
So, it still sounds like he made the right decsion. The NCAA is where he needs to be. However, I do believe that he would have made the Flyers this season. Would it have been in a bottom six role? Absolutley. Regardless, I think Martone would have made the NHL.
If his goal all along was to make the NHL as soon as possible, he should have rolled the dice and tried to make it. The short of it all: Martone is taking the right path to become the best player he can possibly be, but he may have made the wrong decision.
Read More: REPORT: Porter Martone to the NCAA
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Maybe the wrong decision was playing for Spartina?
I actually really like the fit for him there
Your right, Penn State Baby!!!!
Sounds more like it’s the wrong decision for you. If I’ve learned anything about his family, what most likely happened was him and his parents and his agent sat down with the Flyers and the Flyers told him exactly what the situation is and his dad ex-professional hockey player Mike Martone counseled him and they decided college is the best route for not only his development to give him time to be a kid before becoming a professional NHL player.
I think Porter chose the right path. He needs to work on some aspects of his game. Can’t do that at a NHL level the game will run you over. But they should invite him to camp without the premise of making the roster just to see if he would have made the team. That will answer all our questions.
Not allowed to be invited to camp without signing an ELC, and you can’t sign an ELC and be eligible for the NCAA.
Hopefully it is the Nits and not Sparty in the Frozen Four in Vegas in April…maybe Martone will be on the Flyers before April.
This was the best decision for him in the short term and the Flyers in the long term. He can play against bigger bodies, use this year as a transition to the NHL, and possibly hone his skills on the left wing, since the Flyers are short on the left side.
After his season is over he can join the club for the last few weeks of the season.
You have ZERO clue as to what thoughts went into making this decision, as well as who was involved in making it. Martone, says he needs to get bigger, faster, and stronger to make the NHL. What does he know! Let’s ask Willy!!!
As I’ve said before, there isn’t any need to rush a player who hasn’t turned 19 yet to the NHL.