F Porter Martone - Mississauga Steelheads, OHL (2025 Draft)

[frontsfan67]

I already explained this on the last page.


Too long didn’t read version, his numbers are right in line with all the other comparables. He’s lacked a little puck luck, so maybe like one or two points lower than the others. But we are literally 7 games in. Making anything of the sample when we are splitting the difference between 1 or 2 points is ridiculous.

Oh my bad didn’t know that was you that made the ppg comparisons lol. Yes it’s a long season who cares where they are 2 months into the season it’s where the finish that matters. Same goes with porter martone and Michael misa. Misa is at 22 goals right now in 18 games and there is absolutely 0 chance in hell he keeps this up. This would be right up there with Alex Debrincat who had 2 50 goal seasons in the OHL before hitting 65 and then leaving to the NHL. MM is yet to hit 30 in a year(he still probably finishes with 50+ but I don’t think he’s on pace for 83 goals which is what he is currently on pace for lmao)

Not flustered. Just not buying this whole orchestrated effort against Hagens from any of the people pushing it. No one who seriously watches him play has voiced concerns about his play.

Nobody on here holds any weight in an nhl draft table. People on here often don’t know what they’re talking about. I watched Shane wright all his years in the OHL and we still had idiots on here saying he is Patrice Bergeron and generational lmao when he had trouble with faceoffs and wasn’t stellar defensively. Covid year really hurt him not playing then he ran into injuries. Not sure what’s up with him now though- no excuses for that.

 

[wickedwitch]

How am I twisting things? Based off PPG he isn’t lighting it up as much? Again. I don’t watch many college hockey games just pointed out my observation. No need to get all flustered about it.

I’ve had this guy as the #1 pick since him and eiserman lit up the international competition I believe a year ago. Just surprised he isn’t producing more- that is all.

Besides the small sample size, BC has also had an absurdly difficult schedule to start the season. They've had four games against top 5 teams -- they have no more scheduled for the rest of the regular season. They also had 3 more against top 14 teams. So his P/G, which is already very good, should only improve even if he doesn't further adapt to this level.

ETA: maybe there should be a seperate thread comparing the top prospects so the individual threads aren't cluttered with this stuff.

 

[FLAMESFAN]

I do find it upsetting that Canadian fans can’t let us have this one.

If Hagens wasn’t the best player in the draft, I would not advocate for him as such. I advocated for Wright in 2022 and Clarke in 2021. Was never advocating for Beniers (2021) or Luke Hughes (2021) or Cooley (2022) as 1OA. In fact, I was one of the first people saying that Eiserman (2024) is not real competition for Celebrini (and others Canadians like Catton).

Some of us aren’t as partisan as you are. I will advocate for the best player to go first. I hope it is a player of my nationality, but of course you have to live in the real world and that’s not always the case that you’ll get things the way you want.

So yes, I do find the rhetoric a little disappointing from some people. I don’t like it one bit. It comes off very controlling.

LOL, what? The majority of your posts are the definition of biased.
I can honestly say I couldn't care if it was an American, Canadian or any other nationality that goes 1st overall. Sounds like many other Canadian posters don't care either. What most of us are hoping for is that it isn't a boring runaway for 1st OA. Looks like that could be tested, and you guys don't know how to handle that.

 

[Riggins]

Anyone else got an opinion other than the obnoxious guy with an agenda posting every time Martone turns the puck over?

This thread will be insufferable if we have to read through this vendetta every time he has a bad game.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

LOL, what? The majority of your posts are the definition of biased.
I can honestly say I couldn't care if it was an American, Canadian or any other nationality that goes 1st overall. Sounds like many other Canadian posters don't care either. What most of us are hoping for is that it isn't a boring runaway for 1st OA. Looks like that could be tested, and you guys don't know how to handle that.

I mean, I quite literally disproved your idea I'm biased based on my nationality for who I think should go first overall, so onus is on you.

You are trying to antagonize American fans will all sorts of inflammatory rhetoric.

Projection.

 

[frontsfan67]

Anyone else got an opinion other than the obnoxious guy with an agenda posting every time Martone turns the puck over?

From what I’ve seen (and I watched both play in the OHL) he’s pretty comparable to Matthew tkachuk.

This thread will be insufferable if we have to read through this vendetta every time he has a bad game.

I agree nobody needs or wants to know when player x has a turnover every 3rd shift. If anything period to period would be pretty good or game to game.

 

[ORRFForever]

Another Martone turnover, this time at the end of a PP. Tried a hard seam pass that missed the mark and caromed off the boards for a clear, entry and shot attempt for the Bulldogs. Made up for it later in the shift with a nice saucer pass to Rehkopf for a backhand chance that was stopped.

Why so bitter? Nothing we say here will matter. Hagens will either remain # 1 or he won't.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

The talk of Canadian media with some kind of push to get a Canadian to 1OA is crazy lol. Like at the end of the day if Hagens is better then Martone it literally does not matter whether he goes 1st or 2nd or 3rd overall...he will end up being the better player in the NHL lol I do look forward to the shift by shift breakdown in the Hagens thread all year though by Steve!

 

[FLAMESFAN]

I mean, I quite literally disproved your idea I'm biased based on my nationality for who I think should go first overall, so onus is on you.

You are trying to antagonize American fans will all sorts of inflammatory rhetoric.

Projection.

No, antagonizing & projection would be if I were to be posting in the Hagens thread that he is not worthy of 1st OA.
Don't see me doing that do you? I actually like to read how these guys are doing, but seems these threads have been hijacked by a couple salty Americans.

 

[Steve Kournianos]

No, antagonizing & projection would be if I were to be posting in the Hagens thread that he is not worthy of 1st OA.
Don't see me doing that do you? I actually like to read how these guys are doing, but seems these threads have been hijacked by a couple salty Americans.

This isn’t an echo chamber. You’re going to hear bad news about prospects. Calling out Martone has everything to do with Martone’s play and nothing else. And there are Canadian-based sources saying the same.

As I’ve stayed many times, Schaefer, an Ontario native in the OHL, is the better prospect and a deserving option for first overall.

 

[Steve Kournianos]

The talk of Canadian media with some kind of push to get a Canadian to 1OA is crazy lol. Like at the end of the day if Hagens is better then Martone it literally does not matter whether he goes 1st or 2nd or 3rd overall...he will end up being the better player in the NHL lol I do look forward to the shift by shift breakdown in the Hagens thread all year though by Steve!

2025 Draft: Hot start keeps center James Hagens as clear choice for No. 1

Freshman phenom leads No. 2-ranked Boston College in assists and is tied for the team scoring lead

open.substack.com

2025 Draft: WJSS Day 1 Recap (USA-Blue 7, Sweden 2)

Top 2025 draft prospects James Hagens and Victor Eklund clashed in the first of what could be several head-to-head meetings during this all-important draft season

open.substack.com

2025 Draft: WJSS Day 2 Recap (USA-Blue 5, Finland 3)

Hensler makes his presence felt; Hagens scores the eventual game-winner on the power play

open.substack.com

2025 Draft: WJSS Day 3 Recap (Finland 5, Team USA 3)

Kuusla, Vedenpaa lead Finland to its first victory of the tournament

open.substack.com

2025 Draft: WJSS Day 3 Recap (Finland 5, Team USA 3)

Kuusla, Vedenpaa lead Finland to its first victory of the tournament

open.substack.com

 

[Steve Kournianos]

I think you’re doing great work in this thread. Some people look at warranted criticism and think you’re attacking a player, those people are SOFT.

NHL teams do exactly what you’re doing in this thread, worse if anything. people need to wake up.

It is both odd and highly comical that people are this butt hurt over factual in-game observations when every team GDT thread on this site is full of the harshest criticisms of their own players. Pillow-soft indeed.

 

[Dempsey]

I'm really enjoying these threads. I always am looking for reasons why I prospect will fail, because so many of them do. I ask myself, four years from now if he hasn't being transitioning to the Pros, what will be the reason? By then it will be easy to tell, but if you can question that early it certainly helps.

People trying to play identity politics and make this USA vs Canada is silly though. Nobody here cares about that as far as I can tell.

 

[frontsfan67]

I'm really enjoying these threads. I always am looking for reasons why I prospect will fail, because so many of them do. I ask myself, four years from now if he hasn't being transitioning to the Pros, what will be the reason? By then it will be easy to tell, but if you can question that early it certainly helps.

People trying to play identity politics and make this USA vs Canada is silly though. Nobody here cares about that as far as I can tell.

Guarantee if it wasn’t around the American election nobody would be talking politics.

 

[ORRFForever]

It is both odd and highly comical that people are this butt hurt over factual in-game observations when every team GDT thread on this site is full of the harshest criticisms of their own players. Pillow-soft indeed.

It's not that. You are obsessing and hijacking this thread. Why not just go to the James Hagens thread and boost him up instead of tearing down Martone? It makes NO sense.

 

[Steve Kournianos]

It's not that. You are obsessing and hijacking this thread. Why not just go to the James Hagens thread and boost him up instead of tearing down Martone? It makes NO sense.

It makes total sense.

And if Martone had a great game? Scored twice and dominated? Would I still be “hijacking” the thread? I had no control over what became a horror show. Again, this isn’t an echo chamber.

Just admit you and others are simply mad he had a shit weekend after so many propped him up as a No. 1 OA challenger. Happens. Life goes on.

Clearly I did the detailed report to prove a point, but it’s literally how I watch players for the last 11 years. As others have stated, they liked the play by play, and those who don’t have time to watch games have a confirmed report on a top prospect — one of many who is open for scrutiny, Hagens included.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

It makes total sense.

And if Martone had a great game? Scored twice and dominated? Would I still be “hijacking” the thread? I had no control over what became a horror show. Again, this isn’t an echo chamber.

Just admit you and others are simply mad he had a shit weekend after so many propped him up as a No. 1 OA challenger. Happens. Life goes on.

Clearly I did the detailed report to prove a point, but it’s literally how I watch players for the last 11 years. As others have stated, they liked the play by play, and those who don’t have time to watch games have a confirmed report on a top prospect — one of many who is open for scrutiny, Hagens included.

You have followed the draft for many years, I have a hard time believing you never saw a top ranked prospect having a very rough weekend prior.

I always hear that good scout want to watch at least 15 games live to have a better sense on one player.

 

[jj cale]

I've seen James Hagens have so-so games, so what?

in fact I've seen every player I've ever watched underwhelm at one pojnt or another.

 

[Dominance]

You have followed the draft for many years, I have a hard time believing you never saw a top ranked prospect having a very rough weekend prior.

I always hear that good scout want to watch at least 15 games live to have a better sense on one player.

He’s far from a “good scout.” He’s an outright fraud. This clown has never before posted a multiple-post targeted “report” and has the audacity to claim impartiality. Pathetically transparent.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

He’s far from a “good scout.” He’s an outright fraud. This clown has never before posted a multiple-post targeted “report” and has the audacity to claim impartiality. Pathetically transparent.

I do believe online scouts have a tendency to have very strong ego most of the time. I do not know if NHL amateur scouts have similar ego but if it's the case, no doubt they have a tendency to miss on so many good players.

 

[jj cale]

He’s far from a “good scout.” He’s an outright fraud. This clown has never before posted a multiple-post targeted “report” and has the audacity to claim impartiality. Pathetically transparent.

An impartial scout doesn't scout leagues or players and involve rape culture in their assessments any more then they would if they were scouting Russian players from Russian leagues and include the war in ukraine while doing so as a valid point they are making about that league or player.

It's clear he's not impartial based just on that...........it's personal. Impartial scouts don't include that stuff when simply evaluating.

 

[ORRFForever]

It makes total sense.

And if Martone had a great game? Scored twice and dominated? Would I still be “hijacking” the thread? I had no control over what became a horror show. Again, this isn’t an echo chamber.

Just admit you and others are simply mad he had a shit weekend after so many propped him up as a No. 1 OA challenger. Happens. Life goes on.

Clearly I did the detailed report to prove a point, but it’s literally how I watch players for the last 11 years. As others have stated, they liked the play by play, and those who don’t have time to watch games have a confirmed report on a top prospect — one of many who is open for scrutiny, Hagens included.

The last thing I was concerned about this weekend was how Martone played. (smile) You can do what you'd like, my friend.

My guess : You'll get bored with this soon enough and move on.

 

[Dominance]

I do believe online scouts have a tendency to have very strong ego most of the time. I do not know if NHL amateur scouts have similar ego but if it's the case, no doubt they have a tendency to miss on so many good players.

He is free to be an agenda-driven poster on here like the rest of us. It’s appreciated and what makes this site fun to read.

Posturing as a scout with any actual authority on these prospects, and claiming impartiality while doing so, is absolutely preposterous and shameful in light of his conduct.

 

[wetcoast]

Another Martone turnover, this time at the end of a PP. Tried a hard seam pass that missed the mark and caromed off the boards for a clear, entry and shot attempt for the Bulldogs. Made up for it later in the shift with a nice saucer pass to Rehkopf for a backhand chance that was stopped.

Did Martone kick your dog or steal your lunch?

Seriously I have never seen or heard of a scout with a more serious hard on against a player in all my time here.

I expect this sort of "analysis" from an Oiler or Canuck diehard 12 year old fan talking about the other teams top prospects not a scout.

 

[wetcoast]

I do find it upsetting that Canadian fans can’t let us have this one.

Sorry man but exactly what canadian fans are you talking about as most of them here still have Hagens as #1 but that the gap has cleared.

If Hagens wasn’t the best player in the draft, I would not advocate for him as such. I advocated for Wright in 2022 and Clarke in 2021. Was never advocating for Beniers (2021) or Luke Hughes (2021) or Cooley (2022) as 1OA. In fact, I was one of the first people saying that Eiserman (2024) is not real competition for Celebrini (and others Canadians like Catton).

Sure different people have different takes and I usually agree with yours but Steve's hard on for Martone is kinda like yours was with Rossi in the 20 draft, which was probably more elgit as rossi isn't the fastest or biggest guy in the world but Martone is basically the worst 2 PPG draft eligible player ever the way steve is describing him in his micro posts here with every TO and mistake playing as a draft eligible guy in a league that has guys 2-3 years older than him.

Some of us aren’t as partisan as you are. I will advocate for the best player to go first. I hope it is a player of my nationality, but of course you have to live in the real world and that’s not always the case that you’ll get things the way you want.

the poster you are replying to isn't a partisan and frankly you should know better and maybe read what he posted that he thinks Hagens is still #1

So yes, I do find the rhetoric a little disappointing from some people. I don’t like it one bit. It comes off very controlling.

Funny but that kinda describes steve in this thread and any thread about Martone.