2025 NHL Draft: Lose a ton for Porter Martone

[matt trick]

Martone is my fourth favorite prospect, but he’d be awesome for us. Schaefer’s the best D prospect since Dahlin, but Misa, Hagens, and Martone will all be considered top 10 prospects in the league. Given the option of one of those four or any drafted player who hasn’t played NHl games, I think I’d only be tempted by Demidov, Buium, and Levshunov.

Martone would be a ridiculous compliment to Eklund and Celebrini.

 

[karltonian]

So in short, our team just needs more high end talent and any high end talent would be very useful.

 

[Juxtaposer]

As I read everything you wrote about Martone don’t we already have that player in Musty. If I were to remove the name I would think you are describing Musty’s game.

Martone is quite a bit better than Musty. I know my tirade made it seem like I don't like Martone, but that's not true at all. His offensive zone play is as good as anyone in the whole draft and I think he's the best playmaker and the best finisher within five feet of the net. He can make good defensive plays when he's locked in, he's just very inconsistent with it.

I think he would be a really nice complement to Eklund and Celebrini stylistically and has a first-line level of talent. If we do pick 4th, then we have our long-term first line locked in, which isn't nothing. He's a great prospect. He just isn't the Tkachuk that some people around here seem to think he is. Matthew Tkachuk has long been one of my favorite players in the NHL. Martone would have to develop quite a bit to become that type of player, but he does have the physical frame to do it. I would say that right now, Martone has a similar style of play in the offensive zone, in that he is a great playmaker, has incredibly soft hands in tight, and can be a good net-front presence. But where he falls short is that he doesn't have Tkachuk's defensive or physical game, and doesn't quite have the pace you'd want to see.

1. Schaefer--completes the core with a future Norris-contending defenseman.
2. Misa--pair him with Smith for an excellent and complete 2nd line to alleviate pressure from Celebrini.
3. Hagens--you'd have to figure out what to do with Smith, but having a 1-2 punch of Celebrini-Hagens is a Cup-caliber duo.
4. Martone--great complement to Celebrini and Eklund, but forces us to rely on current prospects stepping up more than any other option.

 

[coooldude]

Martone is quite a bit better than Musty. I know my tirade made it seem like I don't like Martone, but that's not true at all. His offensive zone play is as good as anyone in the whole draft and I think he's the best playmaker and the best finisher within five feet of the net. He can make good defensive plays when he's locked in, he's just very inconsistent with it.

I think he would be a really nice complement to Eklund and Celebrini stylistically and has a first-line level of talent. If we do pick 4th, then we have our long-term first line locked in, which isn't nothing. He's a great prospect. He just isn't the Tkachuk that some people around here seem to think he is. Matthew Tkachuk has long been one of my favorite players in the NHL. Martone would have to develop quite a bit to become that type of player, but he does have the physical frame to do it. I would say that right now, Martone has a similar style of play in the offensive zone, in that he is a great playmaker, has incredibly soft hands in tight, and can be a good net-front presence. But where he falls short is that he doesn't have Tkachuk's defensive or physical game, and doesn't quite have the pace you'd want to see.

1. Schaefer--completes the core with a future Norris-contending defenseman.
2. Misa--pair him with Smith for an excellent and complete 2nd line to alleviate pressure from Celebrini.
3. Hagens--you'd have to figure out what to do with Smith, but having a 1-2 punch of Celebrini-Hagens is a Cup-caliber duo.
4. Martone--great complement to Celebrini and Eklund, but forces us to rely on current prospects stepping up more than any other option.

It's baffling to me how ranking prospects for fit with SJ somehow makes people want to all-or-nothing the whole thing. We pick top 4, we're coming out with a huge piece, probably the second-best piece in the whole system. Just because someone prefers Misa/Hagens over Martone or visa versa doesn't mean that the other player is dogshit/bust. Really don't get it.

We somehow miraculously pick 5-10, we're coming out with a prospect just below Smith and at/above Dickinson in importance, imho.

 

[Juxtaposer]

It's baffling to me how ranking prospects for fit with SJ somehow makes people want to all-or-nothing the whole thing. We pick top 4, we're coming out with a huge piece, probably the second-best piece in the whole system. Just because someone prefers Misa/Hagens over Martone or visa versa doesn't mean that the other player is dogshit/bust. Really don't get it.

We somehow miraculously pick 5-10, we're coming out with a prospect just below Smith and at/above Dickinson in importance, imho.

It's just passion. Easier to make an argument when you aren't conceding points to the opponent.

I wouldn't be mad if we did end up taking Martone at #2 or #3. I just don't think it would be the right pick. What defines the Sharks' system right now outside of Celebrini is "took a good guy but not the best guy". Eklund over Clarke/Guenther, Smith over Michkov, Dickinson over Buium. Eklund/Smith/Dickinson is a great group of young players and I was not/am not mad about any of the individual selections. But it could be Clarke/Michkov/Buium, which is undeniably a better group of young players. I want to take the best guy this time, not just a good guy.

 

[The Nemesis]

It's baffling to me how ranking prospects for fit with SJ somehow makes people want to all-or-nothing the whole thing. We pick top 4, we're coming out with a huge piece, probably the second-best piece in the whole system. Just because someone prefers Misa/Hagens over Martone or visa versa doesn't mean that the other player is dogshit/bust. Really don't get it.

We somehow miraculously pick 5-10, we're coming out with a prospect just below Smith and at/above Dickinson in importance, imho.

For me I'd want to be top 3 because Martone strikes me as the low-floor guy of the group.

Of course that doesn't address that Grier and company would probably be high on Martone because hockey guys love big, tough potential power forwards even if they are riskier, upside bets.

 

[Jargon]

Who is a good comp for Schaefer? Two-way guy or more offensive? I’ve read some reports but just curious to hear from our resident scouting experts!

 

[Juxtaposer]

For me I'd want to be top 3 because Martone strikes me as the low-floor guy of the group.

Of course that doesn't address that Grier and company would probably be high on Martone because hockey guys love big, tough potential power forwards even if they are riskier, upside bets.

I would actually argue that Hagens and Misa are floor guys and Martone is a ceiling guy. Not to say the former don't have upside or the latter doesn't have a relatively high floor, but that's how I'd characterize them as prospects.

If absolutely everything goes right, Martone has the highest scoring upside, in my opinion. He could develop that mean streak, become more consistent defensively, gain 20 lbs. and add a half step to his stride. In comparison, Hagens and Misa play mature games already and the shortcomings I've seen from theme seem more related to their club team situations or being skinny teenagers than any clear-cut areas for improvement.

Who is a good comp for Schaefer? Two-way guy or more offensive? I’ve read some reports but just curious to hear from our resident scouting experts!

I've seen people call him a Makar or Hughes style defenseman lately and while Schaefer definitely loves to jump into the play and lead rushes, I don't think he's got the 90+ point upside like those two. Less dynamic Quinn Hughes who is 6'2" and a little better defensively? Hughes-Heiskanen hybrid? I've seen people make a Niedermayer comp that I don't hate...

Offensive-leaning two-way guy. All-situations.

 

[GRANdSharks]

For me I'd want to be top 3 because Martone strikes me as the low-floor guy of the group.

Of course that doesn't address that Grier and company would probably be high on Martone because hockey guys love big, tough potential power forwards even if they are riskier, upside bets.

Martone probably has the highest ceiling of any player this draft sans maybe Schaefer imo. Tho honestly it's really not to different between the top of this class

 

[Zarzh]

It's baffling to me how ranking prospects for fit with SJ somehow makes people want to all-or-nothing the whole thing. We pick top 4, we're coming out with a huge piece, probably the second-best piece in the whole system. Just because someone prefers Misa/Hagens over Martone or visa versa doesn't mean that the other player is dogshit/bust. Really don't get it.

We somehow miraculously pick 5-10, we're coming out with a prospect just below Smith and at/above Dickinson in importance, imho.

It's because of team building philosophy. I don't like playstyles which rely on a high on ice shooting percentage without creating an absurd amount of chances because it basically doesn't work in the playoffs for players or teams. I would say Tampa Bay is both the most talented recent winner, and the team which made it look hardest against not great competition. It's not fun to watch because it just feels like a waste of talent.

 

[The Nemesis]

I would actually argue that Hagens and Misa are floor guys and Martone is a ceiling guy. Not to say the former don't have upside or the latter doesn't have a relatively high floor, but that's how I'd characterize them as prospects.

If absolutely everything goes right, Martone has the highest scoring upside, in my opinion. He could develop that mean streak, become more consistent defensively, gain 20 lbs. and add a half step to his stride. In comparison, Hagens and Misa play mature games already and the shortcomings I've seen from theme seem more related to their club team situations or being skinny teenagers than any clear-cut areas for improvement.

that "if absolutely everything goes right" bit is what scares me about Martone. The lineage of dreamed-on amateur power forwards who could be league-wrecking stars if everything goes just right is a veritable corpse farm of failures. Because that sort of power forward archetype is probably the riskiest one in terms of how it looks against kids vs how it plays out against grown men in the pros. He might be the highest ceiling, but he also strikes me as the lowest floor and the longest odds on his upper percentile outcomes.

Misa might be the lowest ceiling and highest floor out of those top 4, but for what the Sharks need he stands the best chance of filling one of those key roles after Schaefer. Yeah, you're not drafting a top line forward to play with Celebrini, but he would fit very well as the guy immediately behind Celebrini in the C depth chart.

 

[Juxtaposer]

that "if absolutely everything goes right" bit is what scares me about Martone. The lineage of dreamed-on amateur power forwards who could be league-wrecking stars if everything goes just right is a veritable corpse farm of failures. Because that sort of power forward archetype is probably the riskiest one in terms of how it looks against kids vs how it plays out against grown men in the pros. He might be the highest ceiling, but he also strikes me as the lowest floor and the longest odds on his upper percentile outcomes.

Misa might be the lowest ceiling and highest floor out of those top 4, but for what the Sharks need he stands the best chance of filling one of those key roles after Schaefer. Yeah, you're not drafting a top line forward to play with Celebrini, but he would fit very well as the guy immediately behind Celebrini in the C depth chart.

I realize now that I totally mis-read your original post as saying Martone was the high-floor guy.

The risk with Martone isn't that he isn't good, like the "long lineage" of would be star power forward failures like Ty Boucher, but rather that he ends up "just" a one-dimensional second line playmaking winger who frustrates you with low-pace and not using his physicality. Rather than being a mean SOB you hope develops scoring (Ty Boucher), Martone is a highly skilled guy who you hope learns to use his frame to be a mean SOB. Small but meaningful distinction IMO.

 

[wickedwitch]

I realize now that I totally mis-read your original post as saying Martone was the high-floor guy.

The risk with Martone isn't that he isn't good, like the "long lineage" of would be star power forward failures like Ty Boucher, but rather that he ends up "just" a one-dimensional second line playmaking winger who frustrates you with low-pace and not using his physicality. Rather than being a mean SOB you hope develops scoring (Ty Boucher), Martone is a highly skilled guy who you hope learns to use his frame to be a mean SOB. Small but meaningful distinction IMO.

How often does that happen, that a player who wasn't a mean player in juniors develops a mean streak? Because I know people always hope it happens, but off the top of my head, I can't think of a single example.

 

[Juxtaposer]

How often does that happen, that a player who wasn't a mean player in juniors develops a mean streak? Because I know people always hope it happens, but off the top of my head, I can't think of a single example.

More often than guys who can't score in junior develop scoring, at any rate.

 

[timorous me]

How often does that happen, that a player who wasn't a mean player in juniors develops a mean streak? Because I know people always hope it happens, but off the top of my head, I can't think of a single example.

Usually requires some sort of inciting incident.

 

[tiburon12]

Just looking at how the standings are shaking out. If we want Schaefer, we're probably going to have the chance to draft him. I can't see CHI taking another D with Lev and Vlasic there and a need for a 2C much stronger. Nor can I see Nashville taking a D with their first of many picks when a chance to grab a 1C is there. Buffalo too has too many 1OA D to justify taking him.

Seattle and Philly are probably the only teams that, if they pick before us, would take him. At this point, it would take winning the lottery for them to pick before the Sharks.

 

[Shark Finn]

This thread has some great potential to look back on in a couple of years.

 

[Forlan]

This thread has some great potential to look back on in a couple of years.

That's for sure, it will be interesting what happens in the end

 

[JoeThorntonsRooster]

I really appreciate the detailed write-ups from @Juxtaposer. Between her feedback, and the data, it’s clear that we are getting an excellent prospect and likely cornerstone piece with any of these 4.

Misa and Martone are generally considered 3rd & 4th best, but between their size and scoring rates, they basically have the statistical profile of okay 1st overall picks. Hagens and Schaefer are a bit behind that in terms of scoring, but they get rave reviews across the board from scouts. Any one of these 4 is a guy you wouldn’t be furious if you got with a 1st overall pick in an average year.

Misa, Hagens, and Schaefer may not be ideal fits (because we already have 2 small-medium pure centers and a boat load of LHD), but these kinds of problems are generally good ones to have that sort themselves out when players are truly great. If every one of Smith, Celebrini, and Misa/Hagens turn out as good as their projections, they’ll work it out. If every one or Dickinson, Schaefer, and Cagnoni turn out as good as their projections, they’ll work it out.

Martone, despite generally being regarded as the 4th best of the bunch, seems like the most perfect fit for our team. He has his warts, but those warts are what keep the 6’3 goal-and-assist-per-game forward from being a consensus 1st overall here.

Point being, it’s getting easier and easier to cheer for losses as we solidify a guaranteed selection in the top-4. And it’s a great year not to have to worry too much about where the lottery balls land as long as we’re in that top-4.

 

[Makoshark]

It seems like Eklund is becoming "power forward" type prospect we all wanted Martone to be. If we somehow end up sliding down a bit could he challenge for that #4 spot? Plus the storyline would be amazing with the next Swedish bros line paring. I guess the question is what is Eklund's floor/ceiling compared to Martone's? Marchant vs Perry?

 

[Jargon]

I would actually argue that Hagens and Misa are floor guys and Martone is a ceiling guy. Not to say the former don't have upside or the latter doesn't have a relatively high floor, but that's how I'd characterize them as prospects.

If absolutely everything goes right, Martone has the highest scoring upside, in my opinion. He could develop that mean streak, become more consistent defensively, gain 20 lbs. and add a half step to his stride. In comparison, Hagens and Misa play mature games already and the shortcomings I've seen from theme seem more related to their club team situations or being skinny teenagers than any clear-cut areas for improvement.


I've seen people call him a Makar or Hughes style defenseman lately and while Schaefer definitely loves to jump into the play and lead rushes, I don't think he's got the 90+ point upside like those two. Less dynamic Quinn Hughes who is 6'2" and a little better defensively? Hughes-Heiskanen hybrid? I've seen people make a Niedermayer comp that I don't hate...

Offensive-leaning two-way guy. All-situations.

Though I was young Neidermayer was one of my favorite players to watch. The skating, specifically, was a thing of beauty. Obviously he won’t be Neidermayer but what a comp.

 

[coooldude]

It seems like Eklund is becoming "power forward" type prospect we all wanted Martone to be. If we somehow end up sliding down a bit could he challenge for that #4 spot? Plus the storyline would be amazing with the next Swedish bros line paring. I guess the question is what is Eklund's floor/ceiling compared to Martone's? Marchant vs Perry?

Lil Eklund is a great prospect and profiles like big Eklund but maybe a bit stronger shot, a bit more physical and a bit more north south. But he's not a Marchand IMHO and unless something significant changes, I don't think he'll pass Misa/Martone for the top 4.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

The top four possibilities all have useful assets to the Sharks. I’d probably prefer Schaefer then Hagens then Misa then Martone but any gives us something that helps long term. I’m wondering what our second pick is going to look like between our 2nd and whatever trade deadline assets acquired. We might be able to get into the late 1st area to add another decent odds player but it could literally be any position. We still need talent up front and on defense so take what can be had.

 

[Juxtaposer]

The top four possibilities all have useful assets to the Sharks. I’d probably prefer Schaefer then Hagens then Misa then Martone but any gives us something that helps long term. I’m wondering what our second pick is going to look like between our 2nd and whatever trade deadline assets acquired. We might be able to get into the late 1st area to add another decent odds player but it could literally be any position. We still need talent up front and on defense so take what can be had.

My hope is that we pick up a couple seconds at the deadline and are able to move into the 15-20 range to pick up one of those RHD sitting in that area. Mrtka, Hensler, Fiddler, Amico, etc. I wouldn't be mad if Grier asked for 2026 2nds instead though.

There's a few guys listed in the second round range this year that are interesting in isolation, but overall it's not a group I'm overly enthused about.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

My hope is that we pick up a couple seconds at the deadline and are able to move into the 15-20 range to pick up one of those RHD sitting in that area. Mrtka, Hensler, Fiddler, Amico, etc. I wouldn't be mad if Grier asked for 2026 2nds instead though.

There's a few guys listed in the second round range this year that are interesting in isolation, but overall it's not a group I'm overly enthused about.

So you’d rather move up than get more chances this year?