2025 NHL Draft Prospect Early Look: Porter Martone

Montreal Canadiens fans wish the team will contend for a playoff spot this year. However, the early predictions say they are still two years away from being up there with those teams. If that's the case, the Canadiens could be in the running for a player like Porter Martone next season. James Hagens is the top prospect for next year's draft, but Porter Martone feels like a more likely pick in the Canadiens' drafting range. This article is a series that looks at first-round prospects for Canadiens fans to monitor during this upcoming season. Fans can watch Porter Martone with the Brampton Steelheads in 2024-25.

Martone starred with Canada in this year's World Under-18 tournament. Martone wore the "C" for the red and white, tallying five goals and 12 assists in seven games. Canada naming Martone captain on a roster with 2024 draft selections is a testament to his leadership qualities and effective play. Canada's U18 team had 13 skaters selected in the draft, including players like Tij Iginla and Jett Luchanko. Martone was second on the team in points, with top 2026 NHL Draft prospect Gavin McKenna leading the way with 20 points.

The Hockey News compares Martone to Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies. Martone is a 6-foot-3 power forward who has a combination of strength and quickness. Martone's hands were on full display in the above clip where he scored his third goal of the game against Switzerland. Most of Martone's goals come from the front of the net, but that also doesn't mean he can't create offense off the rush.

Montreal Canadiens fit

The Montreal Canadiens made their intentions clear to get bigger when they drafted Juraj Slafkovsky and traded for Kirby Dach. The Canadiens' first line looks firm with Slafkovsky, Cole Caufield, and Nick Suzuki. Ivan Demidov and Michael Hage look like they can compete for a spot on the Canadiens' second line, but they are both undersized players. Adding Martone to that second line for some muscle would create two balanced lines with every style.

The third line with players to choose from like Dach, Alex Newhook, Joshua Roy, and Owen Beck would make the Canadiens one of the deepest forward groups in the NHL.