The Sharks officially hold the 2nd overall selection in the 2025 NHL Draft. Unlike last year, where Macklin Celebrini was already being penciled in future Sharks lineups, expect more parody at the top of the draft this year. Thus, leading up to the draft, I will discuss the top options and possibilities available to the Sharks at Blades Of Teal in individual prospect profiles.
According to most outlets, the top player available to the Sharks is Michael Misa. Michael Misa has almost unanimously found himself 2nd on most public lists in the scouting community. The Saginaw Center was granted exceptional status in the OHL, becoming the 6th player in the OHL history, a list that includes Connor McDavid, Aaron Ekblad, and John Tavares, among others. After his production stagnated in his Draft -1 season, he saw a significant jump with 134 points and 62 goals in 65 games this past season, leading the OHL.
Misa’s game is built around his hockey sense and speed. He is dynamic in transition and can use his skill and anticipation to be a threat with and without the puck on the rush. He makes plays at high speed for his teammates and uses his speed to drive, attack the defense, and create space for himself and his teammates. While this is the most dynamic element Misa brings, his game is very well-rounded at his age, and there isn't an evident weakness in his toolkit.
Hadi Kalakeche from Elite Prospects said this on Michael Misa: “Off the puck, he anticipates rotations, predicts opponents’ intentions, and strikes with meticulous timing. On the puck, he drives the middle, cuts across opponents’ hands, and creates gaps in opposing defensive formations with bait-and-delay offensive patterns. While Misa’s transition game remains his main weapon, his cycle game continues to make massive strides forward, and his progression shows no signs of slowing down.”
I believe Michael Misa is the best player on the board for the Sharks at two if he is available. So why is it not a sure thing that the Sharks take Misa if Schaefer goes number 1? Looking at the Sharks' roster, the fit looks weird on paper. Adding another Center when the Sharks have Celebrini and Smith down the middle, presumably long-term, and need to focus more on filling out defense and wing. On top of this, the Sharks also lack size in their top 6, and while Misa is 6”, it doesn't necessarily move the needle for the team Physically.
While Misa isn’t the ideal player for what the Sharks need, the Sharks as a roster doesn’t have that much talent, to begin with, and still need to prioritize the best player available. When it comes to drafting another center. The Sharks in the 2010s had Thronton, Couture, Marleau, Pavelski, and Hertl all-natural Centers playing in the top 6. Drafting Misa to be the 2nd line Center allows you to move Smith to the wing full-time with Celebrini, where they showed excellent chemistry. And a 1-2 punch of Celebrini and Misa down the middle would be an absolute nightmare for opposing teams.
Regardless of what the Sharks do at two, we will get an excellent player, but in my mind, Michael Misa moves the needle the most for the Sharks more than any other forward in the draft.