The Nashville Predators are going to be picking high in this years draft with their own pick, which means that we need to start brushing up on potential lottery picks as well as guys at the back of the first round.
Today we're looking at Michael Misa, a very highly talented player that seems to have it all, but can't get to the top of the draft board.
Exceptional Status
Misa currently plays for the Sagina Spirt in the OHL, and has spent his entire juniors career with the squad. That started in the 2022-23 season, where he entered the league a year early at 15. He is only the 8th player to have ever been granted "Exceptional Status" by the CHL, and only the 6th to have been granted that status in the OHL.
He jumped in and put up 56 points (22 points and 34 assists) in just 45 games during the 2022-23 season. He followed up with his sophomore effort in 2023-24 playing 67 games and ending the season with 75 points (29 goals and 46 assists) showing a pretty decent improvement in what would've been his first year of regular eligibility.
Now he's in his draft eligible season and leading all of the OHL and the rest of the CHL in scoring. Through 65 games wearing the "C" for the Spirit, he's produced 134 points through 62 goals and 72 assists. He's also spent 45 minutes in the penalty box and is currently a +45 on the season. Everything about his OHL career has been phenomenal and he'll certainly carry high expectations at the next level. If he isn't ready for the NHL next year, which he should be, he'll absolutely terrorize the OHL.
NHL Comps
Misa has found himself most often compared to fellow OHL exceptional status player John Tavares. In fact their high water mark seasons of 134 points are tied with each other on the OHL All Time List. Adam Kimelman said as much on NHL.com when he mocked Misa to the Chicago Blackhawks at #2 back in February.
Ranking him as his #1 prospect, Tony Ferrari has gushed over Misa. "Usually, the player who excels across the board has a hard time because they get labelled with the ‘jack of all trades, master of none’ tag. With Misa, he is a master of many. That’s what sets him apart in this draft class. He carries a high floor and a high ceiling."
Since entering the top junior ranks, Misa has proven to be an excellent skater, and has a high hockey IQ and near flawless offensive vision. He's been tasked with some PK and defensive responsibilities this year and shown that he can hang in that zone as well.
Even more impressive is how much Misa has been able to establish himself as a goal scorer. Proving that portion of his game is as elite as the rest of it has scouts salavating at what Misa can do at the next level.
Fit With The Predators
Misa is listed as a center and left wing going into the draft. With his size (6'1" 185lbs) he could play whichever he prefered in the NHL, but with his skating and hockey IQ he'd be leaving some of his all around game on the table if he ended up as a winger.
If you're the Predators and your draft Misa, you're doing your best to try and make him into a center. With his high end offensive talent and all around ability you have a player who can instantly elevate talented teammates. He adds instant depth to the lineup and will automatically elevate the power-play. You'd be able to place him in a set up roll, or as a trigger man if you prefer.
The comparison isn't out there, but Misa could have a Matt Duchene element to his game, but with a little more refinement and a little less recklessness. That kind of player is sorely missed from the Predators lineup and if he drops to the 3rd spot in the draft the call from Trotz and the gang should come instantly.
The caveat here is that it is a very real possibility that Misa moves up everyone else's draft boards and slates to go one or two. The Predators have some assests that could get them into that spot and should seriously consider using them. Misa isn't getting the level of hype he should for a player showing that he's already an all world talent who is just beginning to find some maturity in his game.