NHL scouts aren’t sure how good Michael Misa will be in his rookie season. But after watching the Sharks’ No. 2 pick of the 2025 NHL Draft at the Rookie Faceoff, they’re pretty sure Misa has a bright future in the league.
Three scouts, none with the Sharks, spoke with San Jose Hockey Now about Misa’s performance at Rookie Faceoff. The 6-foot-1 centerman had one goal and four assists in just two games, as the Sharks swept the Rookie Faceoff for a second consecutive year.
So, why are these scouts more certain about Misa’s long-term future than what he does in his rookie campaign as an 18-year-old?
“Lots of poise with the puck. Sees plays at elite level,” Scout No. 1 said. “His body control and puck control are high end. Very talented.”
Scout No. 2 echoed that, noting that these are trademarks of some of the best players in the NHL.
“Smart, will be a real good player for a long time,” Scout No. 3 said.
The sum of these skills? San Jose Barracuda head coach John McCarthy, who also helmed the Sharks’ Rookie Faceoff entry, spoke to that: “He sees the ice well, knows where people are, can make plays through tight triangles and tight areas. That’s a very transferable skill to the NHL.”
But this season?
Remember, the 182-pound forward is just 18.
“Doesn’t look NHL size or have explosive speed yet,” Scout No. 1 said.
That’s in contrast to 2024 first-overall selection Macklin Celebrini, who came into training camp NHL-ready in pretty much every way.
Of course, Celebrini was a singular prospect, and development in those areas should come in time for Misa.
Regardless, Misa’s smarts and skills should help him survive among men in the best league in the world. Scout No. 2 thought a Will Smith-like campaign could be in the cards for Misa.
Smith struggled out of the gate last season but finished at almost a point-per-game pace in the second half of the year, just missing out on the All-Rookie Team with 18 goals and 45 points.
If Misa could duplicate that as an 18-year-old — Smith was 19 — that truly would be impressive.
Scout No. 1 also compared Misa to William Eklund, for a more technical reason: “He’s bigger than he looks out there because he skates with deep knee bend and hunched over, similar to Eklund.”
“Should be fine,” Scout No. 3 said of his prognosis for Misa’s upcoming rookie campaign. “But will be easier to say after seeing him in preseason.”
He added the scouts’ consensus after the Sharks dominated the Rookie Faceoff with 14 goals in just two contests: “San Jose is looking good for the future.”
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