Contrary to past years, the 2025 NHL Entry Draft lacks a clear-cut first overall selection, with opinions sharply divided throughout the first round and beyond. Amid this complex landscape, the Chicago Blackhawks face a tough decision with their third overall pick. They will most likely select a talented forward to support Connor Bedard, but recent reports indicate the organization doesn’t rate Matthew Tkachuk’s comparison as highly as others do.
Bedard and the Blackhawks were probably not bummed at all to find out they had missed out on the first overall selection during this year’s draft lottery. There is much uncertainty surrounding this upcoming draft class, and the best prospect might be found in any given pick—not necessarily being the first player taken off the board.
However, that doesn’t make the decision any easier for the Blackhawks, who own the third overall selection. Brampton Steelheads right-wing Porter Martone has been a name linked to the organization in the Windy City, as the 18-year-old had nothing but great comments about the Hawks.
However, GM Kyle Davidson and the front office don’t seem to think as highly of the Ontarian wonderkid, who’s been compared to Matthew Tkachuk. “It sounds like the Hawks are much less sold on [Porter] Martone than he is on them,” Chicago Sun-Times reporter Ben Pope said about Chicago’s point of view.
Elephant in the room
Martone boasts a skillset many players would give everything for, and certainly one that several NHL teams would love to acquire. However, there is one big knock to his game which seemingly eclipses his traits. Martone’s skating has been overly criticized and is the biggest deflator to an otherwise rising draft stock.
Regardless, Martone believes the critics have been taken out of proportion, and he made his case for himself ahead of the 2025 NHL entry Draft.
“I just proved at the [IIHF] World Championships that I can keep up with [NHL players] and play with them,” Martone said, via Chicago Sun-Times. “I played with [Macklin] Celebrini and [Travis] Konecny, two very high-paced players, in the pre-tournament [exhibition], and I kept up with them and made plays.”
Tkachuk-ceiling
Similarly to Tkachuk, whose skating is below-average, Martone makes up for it with his great hockey senses, and his ability to make plays and drive towards the net. Of course, if Martone was guaranteed to become the kind of player Tkachuk is in the NHL, the Blackhawks would take him with the third overall selection—they’d probably jump ahead in the board to secure him.
“I’m still going to be a hard player to play against every time I step on the ice, but there’s a time and place to create that something extra,” Martone said about his style, which is not as fiery as many would expect for a 6’3” forward. “You see [Matthew] Tkachuk in the playoffs, he chooses when he does create that stuff. Because for myself, I’m a very offensive player and I want to create plays, so I can’t spend all my time in the penalty box.”
Chess, not checkers
Since taking over at the helm of the Blackhawks, Kyle Davidson has kept his draft intentions close to the vest. As a result, this could all be a smokescreen, with Chicago ultimately pulling the trigger on Martone.
SURVEY Do you think Davidson is trying to create a distraction?
Do you think Davidson is trying to create a distraction?
already voted 21 fans
Still, it feels unlikely given the Hawks’ tendency to prioritize prospects with standout skating ability. That said, crazier things have happened on draft night—so Martone’s dream of donning a Blackhawks jersey can’t be entirely ruled out