The Philadelphia Flyers held their annual Development Camp over the last week, which provided the opportunity to get our first look at some of the newest prospects in the system. That, of course, included 2025 first-round picks Porter Martone and Jack Nesbitt.
While the fans and front office get a chance to see the team’s newest prospects on the ice at Development Camp, there’s also the aspect of the newest members of the Orange and Black rubbing elbows with legends of Flyers past.
Of course, we’ve already heard about how Martone was able to recreate a childhood photo with Wayne Simmonds. Then there are guys like Patrick Sharp, who joined the Flyers as a Special Advisor to Hockey Operations in 2023.
Sharp was asked about Martone over the weekend and had nothing but praise for the winger.
“Very impressed. It’s exciting to have him wearing a Flyers jersey. Very exciting last week when we selected him, and every day we look forward to hanging out with him on the ice and learning something from him,” Sharp said. “His skill on the ice is obvious, I think everybody can see it here when we watch practice, and the upcoming 3-on-3 tournament and the game (Sunday). We’re all very excited about that.”
Standing at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, Martone already has the look of an NHL power forward. It doesn’t take a long look at his stats page to see that he has the skill to go with it. The winger had 37 goals and 61 assists for 98 points in just 57 games while captaining the Brampton Steelheads in the OHL last season, adding nine points in six playoff games.
And those leadership abilities are what have impressed Sharp the most.
“I find myself enjoying the conversations off the ice. He’s got incredible leadership skills already for a young kid, very mature,” he continued. “Physically, he looks solid, he looks strong. Definitely a bright spot, and we’re all very high on him.”
Sharp and the Flyers are focusing on improving Martone’s all-around game this week and giving him the tools to use on his own.
“As of today, in the short time that we’ve had him in a Flyers jersey, we’re all very excited about him and not very many weaknesses there.”
Martone’s all-around game could keep him in the mix for the Flyers this upcoming season, especially with Tyson Foerster potentially on the shelf with an elbow infection.
Even if he doesn’t make the NHL this season, Martone has the potential to become a high-scoring winger for the Flyers. Could he one day become the Flyers’ first 50-goal scorer since John LeClair in 1997-98?
“He shoots the puck better than I do. The kid’s got a really good shot,” LeClair told Kevin Kurz on Sunday. “When you look at him, he sees the ice really well. His vision is great. He understands how the game operates as far as time and space. And he’s got something you can’t teach — he knows how to score goals. Some guys can shoot it hard, but don’t know how to score. Porter’s got a purpose when he shoots.”
With Matvei Michkov already impressing in Orange and Black, the thought of Martone joining him in the near future might be enough to work some Flyers fans into a frenzy.
While the selection of Martone was lauded by most around the Flyers, Danny Briere’s decision to trade up for Jack Nesbitt numbed some of the celebration during the first round last Friday night.
Nesbitt doesn’t really have the high-end potential to be a top-line staple like Martone, but it’s easy to see the two-way center developing into a constant presence down the middle — only on the third line instead of in the top six.
Sharp recognized that in his time with the young centerman.
“Funny guy, enjoy talking to him. Always has a smile on his face. Big body, good skater, and I think he takes pride in the competitive side of the game,” he said. “Maybe not highlight-reel goals and assists and power-play plays, but really has a focus on shutting down other teams’ best players, playing his role efficiently, and willing to do whatever it takes for the team.”
Nesbitt fits the profile of what the Flyers are focusing on in recent drafts, and really have based their entire rebuild around: culture. They want guys who are going to do whatever it takes to help their team on a nightly basis.
The 6-foot-5 center has the frame and compete level that can stick down the middle for the Flyers. He may end up as a good third-line center, but it’s clear that the Flyers think highly of the 12th overall pick.
“I know he’s some player that the organization was very high on, based on the move they made to go up and get him, they did that for a reason, and so far very impressed with him.”
