The NHL combine concluded last week. As always, it was a good opportunity for teams and fans to get acquainted with the 2025 draft prospects. However, only so much can be taken away from the combine, as teams are always trying to misdirect each other and not show their hand. But there is still stuff that can be taken away during the week.
Mutual interest between Michael Misa and the Sharks?
Michael Misa spoke highly about the Sharks throughout the week, which is to be expected. However, when Malcolm Spence, a good friend of Misa, was asked about his interactions with the Sharks, he name-dropped Misa as wanting to go there. On the Sharks' end, Misa was one of the four players they took out to dinner, along with projected first-round pick Matthew Schaefer, according to Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now. In the same article, Sheng reported that the Sharks did not have dinner with any other projected names at the top of the draft. While not for sure, in the past, the Sharks have selected a player they had dinner with at the combine, in Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith, Meaning the Sharks could very well be down to Schafer or Misa at 2, depending on what the Islanders do with the first pick.
Is Chicago looking to trade up?
There have been rumblings that the Blackhawks are looking to trade up from the number 3 pick into the top 2 to select Michael Misa. This would impact the Sharks in either scenario. If the Blackhawks trade up to 1, the Sharks would almost certainly get Schaefer at two without giving up any value. If the Blackhawks are trying to move up to 2, there are rumblings that the Sharks, like Swedish center Anton Frondell, and could potentially be persuaded to move down for additional assets. In any case, this will be an interesting story for Sharks fans to watch.
Could the Sharks reunite dominate OHL line?
In addition to Michael Misa, the Sharks have been connected to his linemate Kristian Epperson, who is expected to go on day 2. Epperson scored 80 points in 58 games for Saginaw this season, playing with Misa and Sharks prospect Igor Chernyshov. Going through his second draft cycle after being passed over last year, Epperson was the perfect 3rd man with the two stars and could find success in a similar role in the NHL, potentially with his junior teammates.
These are just some of the key stories. to follow leading into the draft for Sharks fans; with the Draft less than 3 weeks away, things will pick up fast as teams finish their preparations.