Why Porter Martone would be a great fit for the Predators at No. 5

The 2025 NHL entry draft gets going with the first round on Friday night in Los Angeles.

While there’s some disagreement about whether the intrigue gets started with the San Jose Sharks at No. 2 overall, the Chicago Blackhawks at No. 3 or the Utah Mammoth at No. 4, it’s undeniable that the Nashville Predators have a big opportunity in front of them with the fifth overall pick.

The Predators put together a disappointing season after general manager Barry Trotz made big moves in free agency to bring high-level talent like Steven Stamkos and Brady Skjei into the organization. The team finished 30-44-8 in an abject disaster of a season that has now granted them an opportunity to add a high-end prospect to the mix.

On Wednesday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, host Tyler Yaremchuk, Insider and President of Hockey Content Frank Seravalli and NHL draft analyst Steven Ellis discussed what exactly makes Martone the perfect fit for Nashville despite not playing at a premium position.

Frank Seravalli: When you’re thinking about all this and you’re managing centers and wingers, obviously Porter Martone brings some different elements to his game that I think really has some teams excited, and you’re the Nashville Predators, or you’re Utah, or you’re in that mix, how do you balance out the want for a premium position player and a center that will obviously be available to you but also managing a player like Porter Martone who could be someone really special that really helps you win when it matters most.

Steven Ellis: Nashville could go so many different ways here. They could go for a Desnoyers. They could go for a James Hagens, but Martone is actually who I have on my mock draft for Nashville. Could you imagine him on one wing and Zachary L’Heureux on another? That would be the bash brothers there. It’d be so much fun to watch. Martone is not a super aggressive player, but it feels like this year he was trying to focus on becoming the best playmaker possible, and he kind of toned down his physical play. If he goes to college next year, no matter where he’s playing, I feel like that’s something teams would want him to work on.

You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode here…