How He Performed During 2025-26 Season:
Michael Misa spent the season with the San Jose Sharks, but only played 45 games due to a combination of usage and injury. He had 21 points in those 45 games, including 9 goals, and seeing him at center really highlights that he needs to stay there.
Misa also joined Team Canada for the World Junior Championships, where he managed to be a point-per-game player while playing on an ankle seemingly held together by some sock tape and a dream. Some might note that Misa underperformed at the tournament, but the team as a whole underperformed despite ending their medal drought with a bronze. Once he fully healed, we saw his strongest hockey of the year, showcasing standout elements of his game, including his skating, his ability to create high-danger opportunities, and his ability to demand the attention of all opponents on the ice.
Misa is going to be a key part of this young group that the Sharks are building at second-line center behind Macklin Celebrini. He averaged just under 13 minutes of ice time per game this season; with more time and opportunity — which should come this season — we’ll see the full complement of his strengths on a consistent basis, rather than in flashes as we did this season. It would be a lot of fun to roll a Celebrini-Smith combo with a Misa-Stenberg combo right behind — or switch the wingers, it doesn’t really matter. The point is that the Sharks’ future is scary (for opponents).