Porter Martone is the phenom everybody’s talking about, the undeniable favorite for the Calder Trophy, and yeah, he’s earned that hype. This kid absolutely tore it up for the Flyers in those nine regular season games and then co-led the team in scoring during the playoffs last season. Betting sites everywhere have him locked in as the top pick for rookie of the year, which totally makes sense after what we saw. But here’s the kicker: the 2026-27 season hasn’t even officially dropped the puck yet, and the Calder race is already taking a wild turn thanks to some insane preseason performances.
Martone’s Quiet Start Opens the Door
Look, no one’s saying Martone had a bad preseason, but he definitely didn’t explode onto the scene like he did last year. It felt like he was just going through the motions in training camp, which, honestly, might just be him being a mature 19-year-old, approaching the season like a 14-year veteran. He’s ramping up now, sure, but his highlight reel from preseason? Pretty limited. While he’s geared for total production and impact when the real games start, this quiet approach created a massive opening. It gave other rookies and Calder contenders a chance to grab the spotlight and get everyone eyeing them up before the season even starts. And man, did someone grab it.
McKenna’s Preseason Explodes Into the Conversation
Enter Gavin McKenna, the most recent first-overall pick, and let me tell you, this 18-year-old from the Yukon is showing exactly why he was recognized as an elite young talent. Playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs, McKenna appeared in just two preseason games, but he didn’t just get an assist; he created a whole lot of offense. We’re talking 17 zone entries, 2:13 of offensive zone possession, and 8 slot passes, all leading the Leafs in key offensive areas during the preseason. You watch the clips, and McKenna just jumps off the screen. It’s frustrating to see because while Martone is clearly capable of creating his own highlights, McKenna’s flash and pure offensive generation are making serious noise.
The preseason is just that, preseason. But you can’t ignore what McKenna put on tape. The regular season opener is Tuesday, and the competition for the Calder Trophy just got a whole lot more intense, shaping up to be one of the best rookie classes we’ve seen. And speaking of getting things done on the ice, our own Kraken got it done recently, pulling out a 4-3 win over the Calgary Flames. Let’s go!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Broad Street Hockey.
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