Michael Misa and Sam Dickinson’s NHL debuts will have to wait, as they will be healthy scratches for the San Jose Sharks on Thursday.
The top prospects in the Sharks system achieved the first step of their dream, making the opening night roster. The Vegas Golden Knights are a tough matchup for an upstart San Jose Sharks team.
Head coach Ryan Warsofsky explained the decision to scratch the two youngsters.
“We’re gonna do what’s best for our team. We’re going to put the lineup out there that prepares us to win a hockey game tonight,” Warsofsky said. “This is a tough team in the Vegas Golden Knights. [They are] experienced, fast, physical, big, long. We’re asking two young players to step in after playing a lot of hockey and training camp, and what have you.”
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Misa, Dickinson, Desharnais & Askarov staying out late. They’re not playing— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) October 9, 2025
The Golden Knights have already played one game this season. A 6-5 shootout loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday. Given how early in the season it is, Warsofsky feels the back-to-back may benefit the opposition more.
“This early in the year, it might be a little beneficial for them,” Warsofsky said. “Knocking off some rust. Obviously, they had a long game, and they probably got it in late, but we got to focus on ourselves. Be very alert when certain players are on the ice. This is one of the best teams in the league.”
The San Jose Sharks will rely on Dickinson and Misa for a very long time, and Warsofsky understands that. He wouldn’t commit to either player staying in the NHL the entire season, but he said they would get into the lineup sooner or later.
“Dickinson and Misa are going to play, we know that,” Warsofsky said, “Trust me, they’re not going to be out all season or for a long period of time. They’re going to play [and] help our team now and in the future.”
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What needs to happen to get them in the Sharks’ lineup?
As extras, Misa and Dickinson will have to continue to work hard in practice and prove they deserve an opportunity to be in the San Jose Sharks lineup.
There is no way to tell when an opportunity will present itself, but Warsofsky detailed what he’s looking for from the two prospects. The Sharks also opted to keep eight defensemen on their roster, making Dickinson’s chances for an opportunity a little harder.
“It’ll be matchup-oriented a little bit. How are his practicing habits? Is he improving in practice? Do we see things that we’ve asked him to do?” Warsofsky said. “Is it going to be perfect? No. There might be an injury tonight. There might be an injury in practice tomorrow. Whatever it might be. There could be a bad performance.”
Warsofsky finished his assessment of Misa and Dickinson by praising the two’s ability to take in knowledge throughout a long training camp.
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[Dickinson] and Misa have been extremely coachable,” Warsofsky said. “We’ve thrown a lot at them, and we know they’re going to have bright futures here.”
Ty Dellandrea took a strong training camp and turned it into starting the Sharks’ season as the No. 3 center. Warsofsky said the team isn’t at the point to move Misa to the wing just yet.
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