In our 2025 NHL Draft preview, we’ve explored our ideal option based on need for the San Jose Sharks, defenseman Matthew Schaefer, and we’ve explored a player that has an outside shot of becoming the number two overall pick, forward Anton Frondell. However, it’s nearly a consensus among pundits that if the Sharks are selecting the second-best player in the NHL draft, then the team is selecting Michael Misa. This all hinges on the idea that the New York Islanders use the first pick overall to select the best available player in the draft, Schaefer.
Michael Misa, F – Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 182 pounds
Age/DOB: 18, Feb. 16, 2007
Shoots: Left
Saginaw Spirit (OHL): 65 games, 134 points (62 G, 72 A)
The Sharks could do a lot worse than Misa in terms of a second overall pick. He’s been the player to watch for the last three years, so it’s pretty amazing that we’re talking about him at second overall instead of first. Misa was granted exceptional status at 15, allowing him to play in the OHL before he was old enough. That’s something that only players like Connor McDavid, Aaron Ekblad and John Tavares have achieved.
In his first season in the OHL, Misa broke a record set by McDavid, scoring 20 points in the OHL Cup Tournament. That’s a tournament for U16 players. McDavid’s previous record was 19 points. Misa also finished his OHL rookie season as the rookie of the year.
Then, just last season, in his draft-eligible year, Misa scored 50 goals in 50 games. The last time a player scored 50 goals that fast in a draft-eligible year was Patrick Kane. By the end of the season, Misa had tied Kane’s record of 62 goals by a draft-eligible player. Recently, Misa won the Red Tilson Award, given to the MVP of the OHL season.
In other words, he’s done some pretty impressive things so far in the OHL.
The case against Misa
Of course, there’s a reason that Misa is not considered the consensus number one overall pick. Some people think that he’s overhyped. After all, he did not make Canada’s World Junior team in the winter, which is considered something along the lines of an Olympic team for the U20 crowd. Then again, Canada’s World Junior team didn’t even medal in the tournament this year, so one could say that the team wasn’t very well constructed.
That said, there are also scouts who do not believe that Misa should be the second overall pick. One scout told The Athletic’s Corey Pronman that Misa is “overrated,” that his compete level is “average” and that he’s not as “dynamic” as some people think.
The Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis pointed out that Misa can “cheat up the ice” sometimes, something the Sharks coaching staff will be quick to work out of him if he’s drafted by San Jose.
The case for Misa
But as is always the case with these 17- and 18-year-old players, there’s time to grow into the NHL role given the right guidance, and Misa appears to have the tools to do so.
Misa is the complete package. He is a skilled skater with excellent edges and speed. He has great hands and is creative. He has a high hockey IQ and can think quickly in tight spaces. And he is known for a two-way game, something that the Sharks value.
While he might not be the irrefutable second overall pick, he is certainly deserving of being in the conversation.
What the scouts are saying about Misa
The Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis: “Misa has the outstanding ability to find ways to get into high-danger scoring positions. If I was a coach and needed someone to score a big goal late to win a game, Misa would be my pick. He has the best offensive instincts of any player in this draft.”
The Athletic’s Corey Pronman: “Misa won’t run guys over, but he competes well and is diligent without the puck. He projects as a star No. 1 center in the NHL that you can build a winning team around.”
The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler: “Misa is a beautiful skater with some quiet explosiveness and a real knack for weaving, cutting, turning and spinning in control of the puck to either shake defenders under pressure in the offensive or defensive zone or slip past them in transition with his speed and agility. He’s also a very smart player who makes his linemates better with his playmaking, vision and ability to execute while tightly covered. Off the puck, he’s willing to track, stick with plays and compete (I’ve seen him sacrifice the body to block shots, etc.), hallmarks of his game in minor hockey that have also been more consistent this year — though I’d argue they were always present and he played a more well-rounded game last year than he was given credit for by some.”
FloHockey’s Chris Peters: “He has excellent hands and an ability to spot plays. He processes the game at speed and when he’s got his competitive drive going, he can play a physical enough game to really put pressure on opposing players. He’ll still need work on his two-way play, but his offensive know-how, speed and improving strength have all put him on track to be a top-line player in the NHL.”
Conclusion
Sharks fans are getting some great comparables when listening to the analysts talk about Misa. NHL.com deputy managing editor Adam Kimelman compared Misa to Tavares. While The Athletic’s Wheeler fluctuated between players like Dylan Larkin, Sam Reinhart and San Jose’s own Logan Couture before landing on Marian Hossa. Meanwhile, The Athletic’s Pronman compares Misa to Tyler Seguin.
No matter what Misa is, if he is selected by the Sharks on June 27, it could be an amazing one-two punch down the middle that puts San Jose in contention for the Stanley Cup five years down the road.
