Michigan State Spartans head coach Adam Nightingale knows talent. He knows where to find it, how to develop it, and when he has it. Nightingale is currently coaching a pair of Philadelphia Flyers’ 2025 draft picks, Porter Martone and Shane Vansaghi.

Vansaghi is in his second season as a Michigan State Spartan and was the Flyers’ 48th overall selection in 2025. Following his freshman campaign, where he posted 6 goals and 16 points in 37 games, the Flyers’ prospect has 2 goals and 8 total points through 23 games. He represented the USA at World Juniors as a 19-year-old.

Martone is a star freshman, putting together a Hobery Baker award-caliber season. The Flyers’ 2025 6th-overall pick has 15 goals and 31 total points in 23 games, following leading World Juniors with his 6 goals.

After the No. 2-ranked Spartans’ 6-3 win vs. the No.5-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions on Friday, Philly Hockey Now spoke with the Spartans’ head coach about the pair of Flyers’ prospects, and he had nothing but great things to say.

So, given Nightingale’s experience, hearing praise from the Spartans’ bench boss regarding the pair of Flyers prospects is about as high as it can come.

What did Nightingale have to say about Porter Martone and Shane Vansaghi?

Read More: Flyers Prospects Porter Martone, Shane Vansaghi Impress in Michigan State’s Win at Penn State

Michigan State is ‘fortunate’ to have a player like Porter Martone

The first thing Nightingale said about Porter Martone: “He’s a bit of a throwback player-wise.”

Martone is a big, physical player, and he uses his strength to move. He truly is a hard-nosed player. One of the things Martone does best is drive the net. “He’s got skill, and he can make the guys around him better, but he’s at his best when he’s playing with power,” Nightingale said.

Martone has a 6’3″ frame that allows him to play with strength. On draft night, he told the media that one of the things he wanted to do before reaching the NHL was a cliché: get bigger, stronger, and faster. Martone is accomplishing that, and Nightingale credits that to his work in the gym. “[Martone] has done a great job in the weight room, transforming his body, and I think you’re seeing it on the ice.”

The 2025 6th-overall pick has proved that he can back up his early selection with his play. Martone is a star in the making. Yet, Nightingale says that his best trait is his coachability. “I think one of his best qualities is that he wants to be coached,” Nightingale said. “Especially when you’re that high of a pick, it’s something you got to always make sure you have.”

Nightengale has nothing but good things to say about Martone. “He was drafted to eventually go help Philly win hockey games, but also be a guy that wants to do it the right way.”

The Flyers are getting a good one in Martone.

“I really respect him,” Nightingale said. “I think he comes from a great family, and I used to actually skate with his dad. This was over 25-30 years ago in the summers. Not that we knew each other well, but you can tell that he’s been raised in a house where the team is the most important thing. He brings great energy to the rink every day. We feel fortunate to have him. He has added to our culture and our environment that we want Michigan State to be.”

Flyers prospect Shane Vansaghi still has more to unlock

As for Shane Vansaghi, well, he is a pro. Nightingale knows it.

“Shane [Vansaghi] has been awesome. A low-maintenance kid… He’s a winner,” said the Michigan State coach.

The Flyers’ second-round pick is a grinder. He is not going to overwhelm the score sheet. Rather, his impact will come from what he does away from the puck and from disrupting plays.

Vansaghi has been described as a physical, energy line player. Think the next Garnet Hathway has a ton of upside.

Vansaghi has the complete, he has the physicality, but Nightingale thinks he can still unlock more scoring from the 2025 48th-overall pick. “[Shane] is super competitive, heavy with the puck. I think, actually, his production could be a lot more this year. If you really watch our games, he’s got plenty of opportunities, but he does a lot to help us.”

When asked by Philly Hockey Now what the biggest difference has been between year 1 and year 2 for Vansaghi, Nightingale said it was his stamina and gave all the credit to the player.

“In his first year, his stamina needed an increase. He could skate with anybody for the first 20 seconds, then probably could not skate with anybody. He really worked hard to build his tank. His minutes are up, but a lot of that you give him credit for. He has worked to build his tank and sustain it for a full shift.”

It’s worth noting that, in a conversation with Porter Martone, he mentioned how Vansaghi has been a leader in the weight room.

Between Martone’s path to stardom and Vansaghi’s steady, pro-like development, Adam Nightingale holds plenty of importance to the future of the Flyers.

If Nightingale’s words are any indication, the Philadelphia Flyers have two prospects heading towards exactly where they need to be.

Read More: Flyers Prospects Porter Martone, Shane Vansaghi Impress in Michigan State’s Win at Penn State