As the San Jose Sharks finish their preseason on Saturday, questions surrounding Michael Misa’s roster spot will increase.
Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky has liked the 2025 No. 2 overall pick’s training camp. The 18-year-old has gone through some peaks and valleys during his first training camp. Misa told reporters that he has felt a little overwhelmed at times, but always has tremendous support from his coaches and veterans.
“It’s obviously a bit more here, and maybe overwhelming at times,” Misa said. “That’s why you got teammates and staff to help you out. It’s been an adjustment, but it’s been good.”
Misa has played in four preseason games for the Sharks. The center hasn’t registered a point, but he hasn’t looked totally out of place. Even in his down games, like Friday night against the Vegas Golden Knights, he stood out in moments to Warsofsky.
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“He’s picked some things up. There’s still some improvement that [he] needs to continue to develop in some areas,” Warsofsky said postgame. “It has been a hard training camp, you know? It’s been a grind of whether it’s practices, travel, and games. It’s his first time going through something like this.
“You’ve got to play a little bit of a double-edged sword of what’s going on in this kid, young mind. We’re going to be there to help him, support him, and continue to work with him.”
Kurashev on Celebrini’s wing proves Sharks are letting Misa take a shot to stay
Macklin Celebrini is finally playing in his first preseason game of 2025 against the Utah Mammoth on Saturday. Will Smith and Philipp Kurashev will flank the San Jose Sharks franchise center.
Kurashev has gone back and forth between wing and center for almost the entire training camp. Misa, on the other hand, has stayed at his natural position of center with bona fide NHL top-six forwards.
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The fact that Kurashev is on the wing in what could be the Sharks’ dress rehearsal lineup could be good news for Misa. Per Sheng Peng, Misa stayed late during Saturday’s optional morning skate.
Misa played last night, and a back-to-back for an 18-year-old could be challenging.
Misa began camp with William Eklund and Tyler Toffoli on his wings. An electric line that can allow the young center to be surrounded by speed, experience, and top NHL offensive skill.
“The biggest thing is just stopping on pucks. There’s some habits you might have in juniors that you can’t get away with in the NHL,” Misa admitted. “It’s a learning process. I think our coaching staff, all the guys, have been doing a good job helping me along the way.”
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Misa cannot be sent to the AHL to play for the San Jose Barracuda. The Sharks will be forced to decide where Misa will develop best. San Jose could also opt to play Misa for nine NHL games before making a decision.
If the Sharks opt to send Misa back to the OHL following nine games, his entry-level contract will slide one year.
“We’ll see. We’re gonna let him keep playing it out,” Warsofsky said on Oct. 1. “He’s done some good things. We’ll see how it plays out here next few days.”
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