Burning Questions For the 2025-26 Season: Michael Misa

With the 2025-26 season now in sight, the plan is to address the burning questions surrounding every player on the roster (or competing for a roster spot). These questions are focused on how the player is expected to contribute to the Sharks this season and what their role will be.

Michael Misa
6'1" 185lbs
18 years old
2025 1st round pick

Last Season

Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
65 games, 62 goals, 72 assists

Michael Misa entered the 2024-25 season as the 7th-ranked player in the almighty Bob McKenzie rankings. He quickly climbed the charts after a stellar season at Saginaw that saw him put up the best season in the CHL this year. He led the entire CHL with 134 points, won the Red Tilson trophy for OHL MVP, and was named to both the CHL and OHL first team honors.

After much consternation, Michael Misa was drafted second overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2025 NHL draft. He signed his ELC on September 10 to try to make the Sharks this season (spoiler: he will). Because Misa signed his ELC, he is ineligible to play in the NCAA. He can either play in the NHL or go back to the OHL. He is not eligible to play in the AHL because of the CHL/NHL agreement.

Burning Question

Is Misa the 2C of the future, today?

After hearing how Will Smith would play center this season, it was a bit of a shock at the start of training camp to find out that Smith would be playing on the wing and Misa would be given the first opportunity to play the pivot. Misa has been paired with William Eklund and Igor Chernyshov to start camp. He played with Quentin Musty and Tyler Toffoli on Sunday's game against the Vegas Golden Knights.

When the Sharks drafted Misa, it was expected that he'd eventually become the second line center behind Macklin Celebrini. Many (including the dummy writing this) thought that Misa would get the Smith treatment, where they ease him into the action on the wing and then move him to center next season. While it's still early in training camp, Misa is getting every chance to be the opening night's second line center behind Celebrini.

Expectations

Scouts praised Misa for his ability to play a detail-oriented game, and he was one of the most polished and complete players in this year's draft. While he will have his issues as an 18-year-old navigating the NHL, it seems as if the Sharks believe in Misa and his potential. With Jeff Skinner, Tyler Toffoli, and (grizzled Sharks veteran) William Eklund around, head coach Ryan Warsofsky should be able to put Misa in a position to succeed.

While a Celebrini 25 goal, 63 point effort might be a bit much, a 50 point effort from Misa feels right. Playing with Toffoli and Eklund to start allows a crafty veteran and a line driver for Misa to get used to the pace of the NHL, and once Misa gets up to speed, the Sharks can ice a legitimate top six for the first time in forever.