2025 NHL Draft Prospect Early Look: Michael Misa

Montreal Canadiens fans wish the team will contend for a playoff spot this year. However, the early predictions say they are still two years away from being up there with those teams. If that's the case, the Canadiens could be in the running for a player like Michael Misa next season. James Hagens is the top prospect for next year's draft, but Michael Misa is a more likely pick in the Canadiens' drafting range. This article is a series that looks at first-round prospects for Canadiens fans to monitor during this upcoming season. Fans can watch Michael Misa with the Saginaw Spirit in 2024-25.

Michael Misa was the next in a long line of exceptional OHL prospects after he broke Connor McDavid's scoring record at the OHL Cup. The OHL Cup features the top OHL prospects in the Minor U18 ranks, and Misa recorded 20 points in seven games. The OHL granted Misa exceptional player status to enter the league for the 2022-23 season. He was the eighth player to get the status and the first since Shane Wright.

Misa scored two goals in his OHL debut when Saginaw defeated Guelph 10-6. He suffered a setback when he broke his tibia, but had the most productive season for an exceptional-status player in OHL history. Misa had 1.24 points per game, which beat John Tavares (1.18), Wright (1.14), and McDavid (1.05). He won the OHL Rookie of the Year Award.

Misa joined Canada for the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he finished with eight points in five games.

Misa played in 67 games with Saginaw last season, tallying 29 goals and 46 assists. The team loaded up for their Memorial Cup hosting duties, which led to him getting fewer opportunities and his point-per-game rate dropping. The Spirit made a run to the Western Conference Finals but were defeated by the London Knights in six games.

Misa was given the Player of the Game award against Drummondville at the Memorial Cup, with three assists in a 4-3 win. The Spirit went on to win the Memorial Cup with a victory over the Knights in the championship game. It was Saginaw's first Memorial Cup and a perfect end to their vision of drafting Misa and winning the prestigious trophy for the first time.

Montreal Canadiens Fit

Misa will be an above-average offensive player at the next level, but he may not be a fit for the Canadiens. He is undersized like most of the Habs' current forward group and their upcoming prospects. There's a better chance that the Canadiens take a power forward like Porter Martone if they get the option. However, Misa and Owen Beck reuniting in Montreal after winning a Memorial Cup would be a nice story.