Stanley Cup Playoffs notebook: Porter Martone paving the way for a new path

Last July, Porter Martone stepped into the unknown.

When he committed to Michigan State, he became the highest-drafted player to jump from the CHL to the NCAA for his draft year plus 1. That took a lot of confidence — that his game would translate to a higher level of competition at 19, and that it would adequately prepare him to become an impactful NHL player one day. But now, through 11 games in the best hockey league in the world, that bold first step is starting to feel like one every elite young player should follow.

Since Martone wrapped up his one-year NCAA career (25-25—50 in 35 games as the best player on an elite team, playing 18 minutes a night against the other teams' top competition), he's made the transition look like child's play. With the Philadelphia Flyers pushing for a pla