F Michael Misa - Saginaw Spirit, OHL (2025 Draft)

[AlternateSideParking]

“Chernyshov outscoring Misa doesn't mean anything about Misa.”

Um, yeah it did, and it even extended into the playoffs.

Misa is a MAJOR piece that makes the line go. He was for 60% of the season before Chernyshov even stepped into the line up. But even outside of that, it’s isn’t a one man makes the line work thing. They play off each other. It’s super arbitrary to say this guy runs the line/this guy is a passenger.

Arbitrary my ass. These are top draft prospects. Every area should get scrutinized, especially if a center isn’t acting like a center.

Driving possession requires puck handling, puck discipline, and strong edges/balance, among other things. Misa usually goes right to the net or right circle once the puck enters the zone and does a lot of standing around while the puck travels, almost on an Eiserman level. This also prevents him from battling along the boards consistently Chernyshov has actual control of the puck on the vast majority of shifts. They took off Epperson and swapped him with Mangone and there was no change — they ran cycles while Misa looked for shooting opportunities. I have no clue why they play him at center. Harmer is a play-driving center. Fimis is a play-driving center.

Misa is not — I repeat NOT — driving his line, especially at 5v5

 

[Kingpin794]

“Chernyshov outscoring Misa doesn't mean anything about Misa.”

Um, yeah it did, and it even extended into the playoffs.


Arbitrary my ass. These are top draft prospects. Every area should get scrutinized, especially if a center isn’t acting like a center.

Driving possession requires puck handling, puck discipline, and strong edges/balance, among other things. Misa usually goes right to the net or right circle once the puck enters the zone and does a lot of standing around while the puck travels, almost on an Eiserman level. This also prevents him from battling along the boards consistently Chernyshov has actual control of the puck on the vast majority of shifts. They took off Epperson and swapped him with Mangone and there was no change — they ran cycles while Misa looked for shooting opportunities. I have no clue why they play him at center. Harmer is a play-driving center. Fimis is a play-driving center.

Misa is not — I repeat NOT — driving his line, especially at 5v5

You don’t know why they were playing him at center when he just had a far more productive season than the ones he had at wing? A season where he was the center of one the CHL’s most dangerous lines. You think Harmer could have just been swapped in for that center spot and they would have had the same results? Legitimately, is that what you think?

Also coaches poll came out. Misa voted 2nd best play maker and smartest player in the west. Those would tend to be traits of centers right? Or the coaches who see these players on the daily just don’t see what you see?

2024-25 OHL Coaches Poll Results - Ontario Hockey League

Rolling out results of the 2024-25 OHL Coaches Poll, highlighting top finishers from across the league.

chl.ca

 

[Mathieukferland]

I look forward to seeing a similar 365 degree demolition of similar draft prospects in a similar range by said poster, but alas, I fear I will be left waiting with baited breath.

I can’t speak as much to the OHL, but what I’ve seen of Misa at WHC17/HG/CHLvNTDP is a positive constant evolution in key areas of his game (physicality, strength in puck battles, ability to get to the hard areas of the ice) that I perceived to be weaknesses when I first saw him, to the point where I think there is an above 50/50 can be a number 1 centreman in the NHL. It remains to be seen if he can improve his somewhat mediocre vision, but I think he has the highest ceiling of any forward in this class, if a lower floor than some others

 

[AlternateSideParking]

You don’t know why they were playing him at center when he just had a far more productive season than the ones he had at wing? A season where he was the center of one the CHL’s most dangerous lines. You think Harmer could have just been swapped in for that center spot and they would have had the same results? Legitimately, is that what you think?

Also coaches poll came out. Misa voted 2nd best play maker and smartest player in the west. Those would tend to be traits of centers right? Or the coaches who see these players on the daily just don’t see what you see?

2024-25 OHL Coaches Poll Results - Ontario Hockey League

Rolling out results of the 2024-25 OHL Coaches Poll, highlighting top finishers from across the league.

chl.ca

He’s been a liability at center far too often. That actually applies on the PK as well, not only for losing draws, but also in coverage. Why don’t you provide a shift-by-shift of one of his recent games to prove your point?

OHL coaches see Misa, what, 3-5 times a year? I get that done for one player in a week to two weeks with the benefit having more time on my hands. Did they audit all 70+ assists like I did? Probably not. If they did, they’d know how only 20 percent of his 5v5 assists were actual setups, as opposed to faceoff wins, rebounds, simple low to high feeds to Parekh, or short-distance handoffs. Took me a week to review all 134 of his points.

Tell those OHL coaches they can talk to me about Misa’s playmaking when they do the same.

 

[AlternateSideParking]

Looks like Epperson is back with the top line and is taking the draws. Misa took one and lost it clean to Fimis but Saginaw in control early with a 1-0 lead (Epperson from Parekh)

 

[FLAMESFAN]

Is this guy on tilt again?

“Chernyshov outscoring Misa doesn't mean anything about Misa.”

Um, yeah it did, and it even extended into the playoffs.

You know you are making a terrible argument for your boy, right?

 

[AlternateSideParking]

Pretty good hockey. Tied 1-1 after 20. Saginaw owned the first half and Erie the second. Misa actually won a clean draw vs Fimis and made a nice lead pass to Epperson that almost went. He also flubbed two shot attempts and let Chernyshov do most of the work. Now 10 straight periods without a 5v5 point.

The bigger takeaway is Misa is no longer taking draws unless Epperson is kicked out. Clearly by design by the staff.

 

[Kingpin794]

He’s been a liability at center far too often. That actually applies on the PK as well, not only for losing draws, but also in coverage. Why don’t you provide a shift-by-shift of one of his recent games to prove your point?

OHL coaches see Misa, what, 3-5 times a year? I get that done for one player in a week to two weeks with the benefit having more time on my hands. Did they audit all 70+ assists like I did? Probably not. If they did, they’d know how only 20 percent of his 5v5 assists were actual setups, as opposed to faceoff wins, rebounds, simple low to high feeds to Parekh, or short-distance handoffs. Took me a week to review all 134 of his points.

Tell those OHL coaches they can talk to me about Misa’s playmaking when they do the same.

Yeah that's what I thought. You're the expert aren't you? Good for you, man.

 

[AlternateSideParking]

A 3-3 game after 40. Misa was mostly a non-factor that period with a few sloppy passes, but Chernyshov with some strong board work to set up Epperson for his second goal. Might have to put Misa back at the dot since Epperson is 1-for-9. Huge series swing about to transpire so a chance for Misa to take over, which he hasn’t done all series.

 

[Bounces R Way]

Definitely having a playoff series to forget

 

[AlternateSideParking]

Woof. Bad Misa turnover (blind pass) in his own end leads directly to a Fimis 4-3 goal, then Fimis again for the 5-3 tally. Plenty of time left but Misa playing like a disaster.

 

[Kingpin794]

Got to give credit to Erie for doing a fantastic job of shutting Misa down this series.

 

[Castle8130]

I saw he didnt register a point again and a -1. I know theres been pessimism from a certain somebody, but give me the honest truth.

 

[AlternateSideParking]

Saginaw completely unglued. Blown out 7-3. Misa easily one of the worst players on the ice and I don’t think he ever controlled the puck for more than three seconds. Game changed with his turnover and his body language thereafter was terrible. Looked and moved like a defeated kid TBH.

Listen, I always liked Misa and ranked him third as early as last summer and he’s not dropping out of my top six. Even I labeled him as an elite playmaker, albeit well before I dug deeper into the tape. But this type of postseason performance is a big deal for right now, and would be for any star player in any sport. Maybe we’ll all laugh about this OHL playoff stuff years from now, but as of this moment, he’s playing the worst of all the top kids.

 

[Dack]

I saw he didnt register a point again and a -1. I know theres been pessimism from a certain somebody, but give me the honest truth.

He has genuinely been bad. Saginaw's other stars haven't been amazing consistently either, Parekh is getting way too into the gamesmanship and taking himself off the ice/out of the play. Chernyshov has had too many turnovers and I think he's overpassed the puck. However, they've both at least had games/flashes where they played really well. Misa has had scoring chances but he's not finishing them and he's generating very little for himself and his linemates. This game was probably the worst so far, he had a turnover leading to a goal against and had a low event game offensively, even in comparison to his much lower chance generation so far this series.

 

[Bonin21]

Maybe his mind has turned to what NCAA team he wants to join

 

[Bounces R Way]

The Spirit won the Memorial Cup last season, pretty rare that that ever happens in back to back years. Their top guys look exhausted after carrying the team all season. Saginaw's goaltending has also sucked big time IMO.

Give credit to Erie too they've been impressive. Just hard to read too much into anything in the CHL playoffs.

 

[robertmac43]

Give credit to Erie too they've been impressive. Just hard to read too much into anything in the CHL playoffs.

Erie is a hard out - I was happy when Kitchener avoided them this year.

That being said I would have thought Misa woull rise to the occasion more than he currently is. I'd say the same for Rehkopf and Martone in their series.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Maybe his mind has turned to what NCAA team he wants to join

Why is there an assumption he won't want to make an NHL team in the fall? Would be shocked if we see him not even make the attempt.

 

[Corso]

Why is there an assumption he won't want to make an NHL team in the fall? Would be shocked if we see him not even make the attempt.

He will most likely sign and the chatter is really starting to pick up about CHL players being able to play in the AHL before they age out of juniors.

 

[coooldude]

He will most likely sign and the chatter is really starting to pick up about CHL players being able to play in the AHL before they age out of juniors.

This really makes the most sense for NHL clubs and the CHL. Sign prospects, get them in your system and then have them move freely from CHL to AHL and even NHL. Top prospects would likely do this over NCAA. Leaving the NCAA route for D+0 extremely top prospects (Celebrini) or good but not elite guys like Musty who could use a new challenge but aren't really ready for AHL yet in D+1 or +2.

 

[Corso]

This really makes the most sense for NHL clubs and the CHL. Sign prospects, get them in your system and then have them move freely from CHL to AHL and even NHL. Top prospects would likely do this over NCAA. Leaving the NCAA route for D+0 extremely top prospects (Celebrini) or good but not elite guys like Musty who could use a new challenge but aren't really ready for AHL yet in D+1 or +2.

Many NHL GMs have wanted this for the past several years but the CHL was adamantly opposed, stating that it would kill their business model, so the NHL was reluctant to change their agreement. With the new NCAA rule change, however, the CHL clubs realized that their days of holding top prospects until 20 were going to come to an end.

 

[Bonin21]

He will most likely sign and the chatter is really starting to pick up about CHL players being able to play in the AHL before they age out of juniors.

One year in NCAA with puck bunnies everywhere is way more fun than riding the bus lmao. Also would it be on an NHL salary or an AHL one?

It won't hurt their development one bit either. It's just a CHL panic move.

 

[Mattb124]

You’ve never posted a criticism of Misa in this thread unless someone else brought it up, and even then you dismiss it as insignificant because you desperately want him on the Sharks. The few Hawks fans on here are acting the same way, but this is the main boards, not some team draft thread echo chamber. Not my problem you’ve all been ignoring (or pretending to ignore) Misa’s issues. But then again, the media’s been clueless toward Misa as well, so maybe that explains it.

You make excuses for Misa and it took my post of spotlighting his horrid playoff play for you to chime in, and even then you caveat it with his draft stock being fine despite (according to you) playing his worst hockey of the season, and then admitting you didn't watch him play that much in November and December, which is a third of the season. Make it make sense.

You also contradict yourself. First you say in this very thread that his game took off after Chernyshov arrived, and then you agreed with me (of all people) shortly thereafter when I pointed out Misa was mostly a passenger and Chernyshov looked and played better, and was carrying the line. Make it make sense.

I realize you’re a self-admitted Misa fanboy and are anchored to him. Totally fair. But it’s not my problem you failed to pick up Misa’s bad habits as far back as the fall, which is when I began documenting it. You’re acting like the Erie series is an outlier and it most certainly isn’t.

It is hilarious you think the woman who is hoping the Sharks draft Schaefer is a Misa fan-boy. You may want to take a couple steps back. And lay off the caffeine.

 

[AlternateSideParking]

It is hilarious you think the woman who is hoping the Sharks draft Schaefer is a Misa fan-boy. You may want to take a couple steps back. And lay off the caffeine.

Duly noted but irrelevant to the discussion surrounding Misa’s nightmare of a playoff.