With Gavin McKenna choosing Penn State over Michigan State University and Isaac Howard heading to the NHL, things just got real interesting for top Philadelphia Flyers prospect Porter Martone.

Martone, 18, will be coming up on a crossroads in short order. Already a captain of the Canada U18s and the OHL Brampton Steelheads, Martone has little left to offer in the CHL short of, perhaps, a Memorial Cup title.

Playing alongside new Flyers teammates Travis Konecny, Travis Sanheim, and Tyson Foerster, Martone already has two games of experience playing with and against senior players and NHL players, appearing in two games for Canada at the World Championships in May.

The Flyers can either entertain the idea of Martone fighting for a roster spot come October, send him back to the Steelheads and the OHL, or have him spend some time playing in the NCAA as a pseudo-AHL experience.

Flyers director of amateur scouting and assistant GM Brent Flahr alluded to the latter being a strong possibility, though nothing is set in stone in that regard... yet.

Flyers' Porter Martone Sets Sights on Early NHL Debut Just one day into on-ice activities at development camp, the hype around top <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a> prospect Porter Martone is already growing.

"Martone's obviously got all kinds of offers, and he wants to play in the NHL. That's a discussion we'll have to have with his agent. As much as we want him to play, we just got to make sure we do what's best for him," Flahr said following the conclusion of development camp Sunday. "We'll figure that out here in the coming weeks and see what he wants to do, and his people and his family and go from there. 

"Both CHL and college teams will figure out the process and make sure guys don't go too early where they struggle in college hockey because they're playing against older, bigger, stronger guys. Some guys are maybe too good for junior hockey at times and maybe they benefit going."

Too good for junior hockey, you say?

Martone could always end up joining McKenna and Jackson Smith at Penn State, but it's likely the Nittany Lions spent a good chunk of their NIL funds on the top 2026 NHL Draft prospect.

As for Michigan State, well, they were in on McKenna and lost out, and Howard was said to be returning for another season, only for him to be traded by the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Edmonton Oilers for Sam O'Reilly and subsequently sign a three-year, entry-level contract with the expectation he'll turn pro and play for Edmonton in the NHL immediately.

Flyers Reportedly Rejected Islanders Trade to Secure Porter Martone The <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a> were open to lots of things ahead of the NHL Draft, but, ultimately, a bold New York Islanders trade offer wasn't enough to pull them away from selecting Porter Martone with the sixth overall pick.

In rapid succession, Michigan State lost a potentially massive addition as well as their star winger. Enter Martone.

The good news for the Flyers' No. 6 pick is that, if he chooses to go to Michigan State, he'll be teammates with Flyers draft classmate Shane Vansaghi, who already has a full collegiate season under his belt.

If that's not enough, maybe center prospect Karsen Dorwart, a Michigan State alum, can put in a good word as well.

An ideal scenario for the Flyers would be for their two newly-drafted right wingers to bond, grow as players together, and become cornerstones for the franchise for years to come.

Further adding to the allure for Martone is the presence of a number of NHL prospects on Michigan State's roster, including but not limited to 2024 No. 4 overall pick Cayden Lindstrom, star goalie prospect Trey Augustine, and draft classmates Eric Nilson and Ryker Lee.

If Michigan State intends to double down on its hopes for a national championship, Martone is atop their list of recruits as a Plan B to McKenna.

Ultimately, though, the Flyers, Martone, and his camp will have the final say there.