Spotlight on Michael Misa as Saginaw Spirit forward emerges as elite playmaker ahead of 2025 NHL Draft
Michael Misa (via Getty Images)
Michael Misa, an explosive center for the Ontario Hockey League's Saginaw Spirit, is rapidly making a name for himself as the 2025 NHL Draft's best prospect. His spectacular skating, phenomenal hockey IQ, and historically high level of offense make him a unanimous No.
1 overall pick candidate — especially for a team like the New York Islanders, which is in desperate need of a play-changing forward.
Michael Misa provides Islanders, Sharks, or Blackhawks with premium-level offensive firepower
Is Michael Misa an obvious pick for Sharks at No. 2 overall?
With a resume already distinguishing himself as an exceptional status, OHL scoring titles, and a Memorial Cup championship, Michael Misa delivers more than potential — he delivers proven output. The 17-year-old winger recorded 134 points as a member of the Saginaw Spirit last season, pacing the league and tying with John Tavares for the most under-18 point total in the OHL since 2000.
That combination of output and genealogy is the reason why teams like the New York Islanders, San Jose Sharks, and Chicago Blackhawks are keeping tabs.
For a franchise such as the Islanders, which does not have top-end offensive prospects beyond Calum Ritchie and Cole Eiserman currently, Michael Misa would become an instant centerpiece of their rebuild. His skating and vision could pair with star forward Mathew Barzal and bring much-needed imagination to New York's locked-up forward corps.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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Michael Misa is only the eighth player in OHL history to have been given exceptional status, which is bestowed upon players deemed ready to play at the major junior level a year ahead of schedule. Other names to have earned that moniker include Connor McDavid, John Tavares, and Aaron Ekblad — all eventual first-overall NHL draft picks. Although Misa has had a few injury setbacks on his path, he has always provided top-level production, with a full-range offensive arsenal and excellent leadership skills.
In 2022–23, Misa fought through injury to pace Saginaw in points at age 15. He took his game up another notch the next season with 75 points in 65 games. This season, he dominated completely, finishing 10 points ahead of the next-best OHL scorer and helping the Spirit charge to a Memorial Cup title.
A game-changing center with NHL first-line potential
Misa's recent center success has drawn scouts from all around the league. Most young forwards spend years jumping between wing and center, but Misa thrived in the middle this season, playing with elite edge work, effortless puck control, and an ability to create controlled zone entries with ease.
Experts such as Scott Wheeler and Corey Pronman of The Athletic call him a dynamic skater with misleading explosiveness, premium-level creativity, and the kind of potential to be a legitimate No.
1 center in the NHL.
Why is Michael Misa such an asset to struggling NHL teams?
The New York Islanders' offense has lacked consistency behind Mathew Barzal. Michael Misa would provide them with a ready-made scoring dynamo who could be the start of a new era for the franchise. The San Jose Sharks, already having Macklin Celebrini, could pair Misa with last year's No.
1 pick to create a frightening 1-2 center combination for the future.
And for the Chicago Blackhawks, getting the playmaking minds around Connor Bedard is a priority. Having accumulated defensemen in recent drafts, Chicago could see Misa as the missing ingredient to unleash the maximum potential of Bedard.
Also read:
The Mock Draft of 2025: Matthew Schaefer, Michael Misa top first-round predictions
With comparisons to NHL stars and the stats to support them, Misa is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to alter the course of an NHL team on Day 1.
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