SAN JOSE – Sharks rookie Michael Misa was set to arrive in the Bay Area later Tuesday after he helped Canada capture a bronze medal at the World Junior Championship in Minnesota, but it remained unclear as to when the 18-year-old centerman would play again or if he’ll remain in the NHL for the rest of the season.
Misa, the second overall selection at this past year’s NHL Draft, had his ups and downs throughout the under-20 tournament as he centered Canada’s top line. But he still finished with seven points in seven games and helped his home country win its first medal at the event since capturing gold in 2023.
Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said the team would give Misa a couple of days to decompress and get situated in San Jose again before general manager Mike Grier decides the next step.
“He’s been through a lot, seven games in 11 days,” Warsofsky said. “So, give him a little bit of time, and we’ll come up with a game plan.”
The Canadians lost 6-4 to Czechia in the semifinals on Sunday before rebounding to beat Finland 6-3 in Monday’s Bronze Medal game.
In the semifinal loss, Misa accepted responsibility for Czechia’s game-winning goal with just 1:14 left in the third period. A pass sent by Czech center Max Curran to the side of Canada’s net went off Misa’s skate before it went off the skate of Czech winger Tomas Poletin and past goalie Jack Ivankovic. Misa was trying to check Poletin on the play.
“Bad bounce at the end,” Misa told reporters after Sunday’s game. “Tried to box the guy out, hit his skate. I don’t know, I blame myself. I’ve got to be better.”
“I’m sure he’s disappointed by it, but it’s good learning and teaching moment for him,” Warsofsky said. “There’s going to be adversity through his career going forward, and this will be a moment that he’ll learn from.”
Misa played in just seven games with the Sharks this season before he sustained a right ankle injury during a morning skate in Seattle on Nov. 5. Misa did not play in another game until Dec. 5, when he made his AHL debut with the Barracuda on a long-term injured reserve conditioning assignment.
The Sharks were at 23 players before Tuesday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets and would have to take someone off the roster if they want to add Misa, who has three points in seven career NHL games. If Misa plays three more games with the Sharks, the first year of his entry level contract would kick in.
Barring more injuries, more roster spots would have to be created by the Sharks once defenseman Vincent Desharnais and forwards Will Smith and Philipp Kurashev are able to come off injured reserve. Desharnais could be activated by this weekend, Warsofsky said, and Smith and Kurashev are expected back within the next month.
The Sharks travel to face the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday and return home to face the Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
Misa can still be loaned back to Saginaw of the Ontario Hockey League. Asked if Misa would remain with the Sharks for the rest of the season, Warsofsky said he wasn’t sure and that he still needed to speak with Grier.
When he did play, Misa was mainly used as the Sharks’ third line center, a spot that’s been primarily occupied by Ty Dellandrea over the last two months. Dellandrea has played in all 41 games for the Sharks this season and is averaging 14:33 in ice time as he’s become the team’s top penalty-killing forward.
Asked if it might be difficult to get Misa playing time with Dellandrea solidified as the third line center, Warsofsky said, “No, I mean, we’ll figure it out. Again, we’re focused really on the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight, and once Misa’s ready, we’ll come up with a good, solid plan for his development and our team.”
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“It’s a little bit different. Misa’s got really good habits,” Warsofsky said. “His hockey sense is pretty high. He knows where to go. The structure is not a problem. He’s a smart individual. We’ve just got to get to his skill set a little bit quicker, and that’s comes with pace of the game.
“We saw it a little bit with (Will Smith) last year, as the pace slows down for him in the second half. So, we’re hopeful for that.”
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