Quentin Musty has been one of the most hyped Sharks prospects since the team grabbed him 26th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft. He was a star with the Sudbury Wolves in the OHL, showing off a mix of skill and size that made him stand out in his draft year. Last season was a little messy for him; he missed time early with injuries and had some off-ice stuff like a trade request, but he still managed to put up 59 points in just 33 games, which is pretty crazy production. He even got into three games with the Barracuda at the end of the year, giving Sharks fans a little preview of what’s coming next. He ranked fifth on last year’s Top 25 Under 25, and while he’s dropped down a bit this season, he feels a lot closer to the NHL than he did a year ago.
Position: Left Wing
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 200 pounds
Age: 20
Date of Birth: July 6, 2005
Draft Year: 2023 (26th overall by the San Jose Sharks)
Shoots: Left
2025-26 Team: Most likely starting with the Barracuda, but he’ll get a good look at Sharks camp and could get NHL games
What we like
Musty has that classic power-forward vibe, but with way better hands than you’d expect from a guy his size. He’s been working hard on his conditioning, which has already made him quicker and harder to knock off the puck. He’s a natural goal scorer and isn’t afraid to drive the net or take a shot from anywhere. Putting up nearly two points per game in the OHL after missing a big chunk of the season shows how dangerous he can be when he’s on.
He’s also shown that he’s starting to round out his game. When he got a taste of the AHL, it was clear he still needed reps, but he handled the pace better than some expected. You can tell he’s thinking about what it takes to stick as a pro, and that’s a good sign for a 20-year-old.
The coolest thing about Musty is that his ceiling feels really high. He has the size, the shot and the offensive instincts to become a legit top-six winger for San Jose down the line. If he keeps trending in the right direction, he could be the kind of player who can play with Celebrini and Smith in a couple of years and actually keep up with them.
Areas of improvement
Consistency is still the biggest thing holding Musty back. In junior, he could kind of take shifts off and still dominate just because of his talent. In the pros, you can’t get away with that. He’ll need to prove he can bring the same effort and focus every night, even when the points aren’t coming.
His decision-making also needs a bit of work. Sometimes he hangs on to the puck too long or forces a play that isn’t there. As the game gets faster, those choices get punished. Working on his read-and-react speed will make him way more effective.
Physically, while he’s already making strides, there’s still room to get stronger and to learn how to really use that size to his advantage against pros. Winning board battles, staying tough in front of the net and being more of a problem on the forecheck are all areas that could make him a nightmare to play against.
What’s next for Musty?
Musty’s probably going to start the year with the Barracuda, which is honestly perfect for him. He’ll get big minutes, power play time, and a chance to really settle into the pro game without too much pressure. If he plays well, he’s absolutely in the conversation for a call up later in the year, especially if the Sharks have injuries or want to give him a look.
The big picture is that Musty is part of the core of this rebuild. The Sharks are going to give him every chance to grow into a top-six forward, and if he hits his potential, he could be a huge piece of this team when they’re competitive again. This season is all about taking that next step and proving he’s ready for the NHL sooner rather than later.
Highlights
That’s just one hat trick.
He’s quick. He’s clean. He is a machine.
Previous Top 25 Under 25 Posts
10. Luca Cagnoni
11. Collin Graf
12. Filip Bystedt
13. Joshua Ravensbergen
14. Kasper Halttunen
15. Eric Pohlkamp
16. Cam Lund
17. Ethan Cardwell
18. Haoxi Wang
19. Leo Sahlin Wallenius
20. Jack Thompson
21. Cole McKinney
22. Zack Ostapchuk
23. Mattias Havelid
24. Egor Afanasyev
25. Carson Wetsch
Honorable Mentions: Joey Muldowney, Jake Furlong, Brandon Svoboda, Nate Misskey, Gabriel Carriere
