It didn't take long for Porter Martone to announce himself to the NHL last season. After posting some of the best numbers in the NCAA, Martone immediately jumped into the playoff push for the Flyers. And his impact was quick.
Martone had more multi-point games (3) than games without a point (2). It included a six-game point streak to end the season, during which he had four goals and nine points. And the postseason didn't slow him down either. In his 10 games, he was tied for the team lead in goals (2) and one behind Trevor Zegras in points (5).
His immediate impact has him poised to be the Flyers' first-ever Calder Trophy winner. In another talented crop of incoming rookies, Martone has an advantage over a few other favorites, like Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg, since he has already adjusted to the NHL level and has contributed when the games got tougher and more meaningful. Stenberg has played professional hockey in the SHL and has seen older competition, but it's still a different league.
Dating back to 2015-16, every Calder winner has posted at least 50 points. Matthew Barzal blew everyone out of the water in 2017-18 with 85 points. Artemi Panarin was close a few years prior when he won after a 77-point campaign. A few players have won with a sub-50-point season, but that is typically the benchmark. And while 30 goals hasn't been needed in recent years, it would still go a long way.
Simply reaching those benchmarks won't win the award, though. Martone will need to do more to walk away with it at the end of this upcoming season.
Porter Martone will need to establish himself further to solidify his Calder case
The next step will be establishing himself as one of the Flyers' go-to offensive players. Martone should get top-six minutes, most likely on the top line, which allows him to play with more established NHL talent. He should also find himself on the top power-play unit. His combination of skill, size, and toughness could give other teams trouble knocking him away in a potential net-front role.
If Martone can start similar to how he did at the end of last season, his case will only get stronger. While he can't control what other rookies vying for the award are doing, maintaining a solid scoring pace will do the talking for him. Staying consistent and avoiding long droughts will matter. A 50-60 point season looks different if it was done at a regular pace rather than piling up points in short spurts.
Doing it over an 84-game season, though, will be a different challenge than he has faced. That's why a strong start to the season is important, because it will further prove that last season's short stint wasn't a fluke. It's not about producing offensively either. If Martone can impact the game in other areas, he will be looked at as a more well-rounded player. Point totals are great, and that's a big factor in the end, but so is having an all-around impact.
A player could be great offensively, but if they're a liability for their team on the other end of the ice, that detracts from the good they've done. In a small sample size, Martone handled himself rather well. The play leaned slightly in the Flyers' favor when he was on the ice. The numbers are likely to balance themselves out more as he continues on, but early signs showed some success.
One small thing that may not be in Martone's favor is the level of talent he will be playing with. McKenna is expected to play with the likes of Auston Matthews or William Nylander, two players who have consistently been top producers. Martone can turn that into a strength, however, if he shows an ability to elevate the talent he plays with.
Early indications show Martone is going to be a force for the Flyers. And he knows there's more to give. If he can build on what he proved last season and hit another level, the future is more than bright.
Add us as a preferred source on Google