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

[Anardil]

Please take my post with a grain of salt, as I have only watched Misa play against the US U18s this year. With that being said, Misa left me thoroughly unimpressed. He played on the same line with Martone and Desnoyers, and he was by far the worst of the 3. Martone drove that line, and Desnoyers was the worker/grinder. I expected so much more from a player granted exceptional status

 

[Kingpin794]

I know some have wanted more dynamic play from Misa at times. This would surely count.

 

[AlternateSideParking]

I know some have wanted more dynamic play from Misa at times. This would surely count.

Joke defensive effort and clown-show goaltending, if we’re being candid. I don’t know which defenseman played that worse. But this is par for the course in today’s OHL.

 

[CaviarAndRinkFries]

 

[Kingpin794]

The goal from yesterday was fun but I like this play that starts at 3:18 better. One hands the puck to keep it in the zone, brings it to himself, turns away from the defender and sends a pass on the tape to Chernyshov in one motion.

 

[CaviarAndRinkFries]

 

[MrCreamm]

Reminds me of Seguin.

 

[ORRFForever]

Reminds me of Seguin.

Oh, oh...

The players on the Spirit better keep Misa away from their wives.

(* Bad half joke. *)

 

[19Simon19]

Here's my Scouting Report on Misa

 

[GermanSpitfire]

What an amazing season from Misa. I had doubts coming into the season but he has proven me so wrong, and I’m so happy about it.

If he goes first, I wouldn’t be surprised and he would deserve it. He does something every shift, is one of the best skaters in the draft and has that “it” factor. Definitely deserving of that Exception Status he got as a 15 year old.

Any team is lucky to get this kid.

 

[Corso]

What an amazing season from Misa. I had doubts coming into the season but he has proven me so wrong, and I’m so happy about it.

If he goes first, I wouldn’t be surprised and he would deserve it. He does something every shift, is one of the best skaters in the draft and has that “it” factor. Definitely deserving of that Exception Status he got as a 15 year old.

Any team is lucky to get this kid.

It is very nice to see you posting once again; your insight and knowledge of future prospects was missed!

 

[ColbyChaos]

Desperately hoping if the lottery doesn’t change any teams positions that San Jose takes Schaefer and not Misa

 

[Juxtaposer]

A few sub-par games lately. Wonder if Saginaw should consider giving him a game or two off before the playoffs.

 

[Bounces R Way]

If it was me stepping up on draft day I'm taking Misa #1. Franchise C written all over him.

 

[Kingpin794]

A few sub-par games lately. Wonder if Saginaw should consider giving him a game or two off before the playoffs.

Was a tough stretch here going Barrie, Brantford, London, Windsor in a row. Got back into the groove tonight with an assist and the game tying goal after they where down 2 with about 5 minutes left. I agree though that he needs a couple games off before the playoffs. They have a 7 point lead on Erie now for 4th in the west. If they get ANY points against the Soo in their next game, they clinch 4th. He'll get the last 2 off before playing Erie. Also if Erie doesn't get 2 points tomorrow, Saginaw also clinches 4th. That first line is gassed. Parekh was out with an upper body injury. They need some kind of break.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

 

[karltonian]

Let's say the Sharks miss on Schaefer and take Misa. Is there any precedent for a tandem like Misa-Chernyshov translating to the NHL?

 

[Stewie Griffin]

Let's say the Sharks miss on Schaefer and take Misa. Is there any precedent for a tandem like Misa-Chernyshov translating to the NHL?

That almost never happens, but it definitely wouldn't hurt to try. If the Sharks do take Misa the top-6 could be something like:

Eklund-Celebrini-X
X-Misa-Smith (rotate on draws)

Then you just fill in the Xs with free agents or hope Musty, Chernyshov, Haltunnen, Graf, etc. can become a complimentary plug in guy.

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

I think he's exactly the player Bedard can play with and will have excellent chemistry with.

As for San Jose, Misa can play with anybody but I don't think San Jose really needs him as Celebrini can play with anybody and they need to stock up on defense. As for Chicago, this is exactly who Bedard needs.

Misa remains to be my favourite player in this years draft because I see a rock solid hockey player with a long and promising productive career who WILL win a Stanley Cup. I can't always tell if a prospect is going to win a Stanley Cup, but I know Michael Misa will hoist the Stanley Cup. Not just that, I see him playing up until his 40's.

 

[cheechoo]

Let's say the Sharks miss on Schaefer and take Misa. Is there any precedent for a tandem like Misa-Chernyshov translating to the NHL?

 

[wetcoast]

If it was me stepping up on draft day I'm taking Misa #1. Franchise C written all over him.

I get that but San Jose has their franchise center already and really need a franchise dman like Schaefer.

That being said teams will have their own lists and we don't know the draft order yet.

 

[wetcoast]

I think he's exactly the player Bedard can play with and will have excellent chemistry with.

As for San Jose, Misa can play with anybody but I don't think San Jose really needs him as Celebrini can play with anybody and they need to stock up on defense. As for Chicago, this is exactly who Bedard needs.

Misa remains to be my favourite player in this years draft because I see a rock solid hockey player with a long and promising productive career who WILL win a Stanley Cup. I can't always tell if a prospect is going to win a Stanley Cup, but I know Michael Misa will hoist the Stanley Cup. Not just that, I see him playing up until his 40's.

Gave you a like for the first 2 paragraphs then no idea why you wrote the 3rd as there is simply no telling this far out, like none.

 

[AlternateSideParking]

Misa just had his toughest stretch of the season and rarely drove play outside of some highly impressive intermittent displays. I genuinely don’t know what to think about the OHL’s leading scorer being a net-front-presence while Chernyshov and Parekh/Guo are running the power play, but I don’t think it’s ideal for a potential 1C. Again, this ties into my concern that he isn’t a pure playmaker and many of his assists are far from dimes, but that’s only within the context of playing in the easiest junior league to score in. Misa’s going to win the OHL scoring title as a FYE which is a huge deal, but there’s something lacking in his playmaking. I guess he makes up for it with the precise manner he enters the zone and helps establish possessions, but from there it’s mostly handoffs or forced passes with a low completion rate.

Chernyshov has been the alpha since joining the Spirit and he’s Misa’s winger. The London game wasn’t pretty. If you asked me who looked better on a nightly basis in all areas, pre-injury Bear or Misa, I’d say Bear without hesitation. Misa was invisible in the first half of the Windsor game before making several high-end plays and delivering in the clutch.

All that said, I admit this is partly analysis parylisis. Misa’s not going to bust, at least I don’t think he will. I mean, I killed Shane Wright for similar concerns and he looks like he’s turning out ok. Best case scenario IMO is a sort of Stamkos/Raymond hybrid.

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

Gave you a like for the first 2 paragraphs then no idea why you wrote the 3rd as there is simply no telling this far out, like none.

I have a quote when it comes down to prospects such as let's see what they can do in the NHL. Sure incredible numbers in their draft season, but what can they do at the NHL level?

Michael Misa is a guy who will not disappoint. But I also knew Nathan MacKinnon was going to win a Stanley Cup, but I was questioning Barkov.

Then you have the redrafts which I think are pointless in the shoulda, woulda, coulda sense. I think Misa will be taken first every single time in 5-10 years.

 

[Corso]

I have a quote when it comes down to prospects such as let's see what they can do in the NHL. Sure incredible numbers in their draft season, but what can they do at the NHL level?

Michael Misa is a guy who will not disappoint. But I also knew Nathan MacKinnon was going to win a Stanley Cup, but I was questioning Barkov.

Then you have the redrafts which I think are pointless in the shoulda, woulda, coulda sense. I think Misa will be taken first every single time in 5-10 years.

He certainly does check all the boxes doesn't he. Size, skating, IQ, driver ect....he's answered all the questions/concerns most had at the start of the season. With all due respect to Shaefer, no one should be surprised to see him go number one.