Top NHL draft prospect Michael Misa, considered one of the best forwards available, has met with or is scheduled to meet with four teams ahead of the draft, per Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now. The four teams are the San Jose Sharks, New York Islanders, Utah Mammoth, and Nashville Predators, all of whom hold four of the top five picks in the draft, highlighting the strong interest in Misa at the top of the board.
Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 184 pounds, Misa, 18, is coming off a phenomenal season in the OHL, where he led the league with 134 points in 65 games for the Saginaw Spirit. He nearly doubled his output from a season ago, when he put up 75 points in 67 games for Saginaw. Misa, who is currently participating in the NHL Combine in Buffalo, appeared on NHL.com’s “NHL Draft Class” podcast today and said he feels he is ready to make the leap to the NHL.
“Ultimately, I think that’s up to the NHL team that drafts me. I think we’re going to figure out a plan for what best suits me. But I believe when I’m at my best, I put all the work in this summer, hopefully I will be ready to go next year in the NHL,” he said.
With that said, Misa also discussed the possibility of playing in the NCAA next season alongside his brother, Calgary Flames forward prospect Luke Misa, who recently committed to Penn State. He called getting a chance to play with his brother “a dream.” Whether Misa begins next season in the NHL, returns to major junior, or heads to the NCAA, there’s little doubt he’ll be a top-five pick in the upcoming draft. When asked on a podcast what he’d say to the Islanders to convince them to take him first overall, Misa highlighted his all-around game as one of his biggest strengths.
“I think there are a lot of things. I’m someone who hates losing. I’m a hard worker and I think my work ethic can be seen when I play. And I think I’m someone who is coachable. I like to work with the coaching staff and the team. And when I’m at my best, I think I can be a force to be reckoned with,” he said.
Hoping (praying) one of him, Hagens, orr O’Brien fall to 7
Would be happy with Martone, McQueen, or Desnoyers
O’Brien has been shown at #7 on most mock drafts
Im praying Misa falls to #3
Well, if the Isles flip pick #1 to the Sharks for an asset and the #2 pick and take Hagens and the Sharks take the Dman, pray will be answered. :)
Can you imagine if Penn State landed Misa next season?!! :0
Preds best hope is that Hagens falls to #5. No way Misa will still be on the board.
Not exactly sure why he’s not talking to the Hawks when the latest mocks have him going there at 3. If he’s there I’m pretty sure the Hawks would take him and let him go to Penn State. No matter what he thinks he’s not NHL ready in all likelihood. I’d be thrilled if he was there but I doubt it.
Who’s going ahead of Misa at #2?
This is the latest Mock I’ve seen:
link to msn.com
Islanders taking home town boy Hagens. Not sure about that but….. Nice to think about if you’re a Hawk fan.
Schaefer and Misa are going 1-2 unless someone goes off the board.
They may not turn out to be the best 2 in the long run, but they’re the 2 most sure things this year.
I only see the Isles taking Hagens if they can move dowm a spot or two and get another good asset in return. Now if Lou were still in charge, who knows.
If Grandpa Lou was still in charge he’d trade the number one pick to a team picking somewhere between 15 and 25 for a bottom six forward and their number one pick. He was a shrewd GM. But since Darche is in charge he has to take Schaeffer with the number one overall. I don’t want that Hagens kid, he’s too small. And I don’t care that he’s a local kid.