Michael Misa is making his highly anticipated NHL debut for the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday, but he had to wait for it.
Misa told SHD on Tuesday that he appreciated being able to watch two games from above the rink.
“It’s not really that hard [to watch the games]. It’s just, your time will come,” Misa said. “For those first two games, it was actually good for me to look at some of the centermen on our team. Watch their game [and learn] some stuff from them. I’m feeling ready.”
Misa will play his natural position of center with Ty Dellandrea and Philipp Kurashev on the wing. Dellandrea is leading the Sharks in face-off win % at 62.5 this season, so Misa will have some support in an area he struggled during preseason.
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“I take 30 draws with Delly after every practice. We read off each other, giving each other tips. It’s great to have him on my line,” Misa said about Dellandrea. “Especially for face-offs in general. If it’s on the left side, I could take it. If it’s on the right side, he could take it. It gives us more options.”
But what about the Carolina Hurricanes makes this the right matchup for San Jose Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky to deploy the 2025 No. 2 pick?
“I think the pace. The structure of it. They’re not so much a run-and-gun [team]. We know exactly what they’re doing,” Warsofsky explained. “One is, I was there for a little bit, so I kind of know [Rod Brind’Amour], and I’d say every coach in the NHL [knows] they’re one of the best. That’s a credit to Rod and his staff for getting that team to play one way for the last seven years. He plugs guys in and they get it going. I think there’s some predictability in the game, and I think that makes Misa a little bit more comfortable.”
#SJSharks lines during morning skate:
Eklund-Celebrini-Toffoli
Skinner-Wennberg-Smith
Kurashev-Misa-Dellandrea
Goodrow-Gaudette-Reaves
Ferraro-Orlov
Leddy-Liljegren
Dickinson-Klingberg— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) October 14, 2025
The San Jose Sharks don’t want to rush the top prospect, but his mindset is mature for an 18-year-old. He understands the matchup he’s against for his debut.
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“I think they’re are man on man, all over the ice. It’s just got to be quick plays and try to expose the guy that’s on you,” Misa said. “Try and get a two-on-one anywhere around the ice, because teams that play man-on-man, it’s hard to break. But if you can break them, it usually leads to a scoring chance.”
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