Imagine stepping into a time machine, only to return and find your world completely transformed. That’s exactly what Michael Misa is experiencing as he rejoins the San Jose Sharks. But here’s where it gets controversial: can an 18-year-old phenom like Misa truly make or break a team’s playoff dreams?
When Misa left the ice on November 5th with a right ankle injury, the Sharks were a struggling 4-6-3. Fresh off a disastrous 0-4-2 start, playoff aspirations seemed like a distant fantasy for a team that had languished at the bottom of the NHL for two straight seasons. Fast forward two months, and the Sharks are a different beast entirely. Sitting four games above .500, they’ve clawed their way into the No. 1 wild card spot in the West, firmly in the playoff conversation.
This dramatic turnaround puts head coach Ryan Warsofsky in a tricky position. He must balance the team’s immediate playoff push with Misa’s long-term development. And this is the part most people miss: sitting Misa occasionally isn’t a lack of faith—it’s a strategic move. While game experience in the NHL is invaluable, Misa’s growth also comes from practice, workouts, and the lessons learned outside the spotlight. After all, he’s just returned from a grueling 7-games-in-11-days stretch at the World Juniors, his last contest on January 5th. That’s why he’ll sit out Saturday’s matchup against the Dallas Stars—a decision that’s as much about his well-being as it is about the team’s lineup strategy.
Adding to the complexity, Adam Gaudette stepped up as a solid third-line center—Misa’s natural position—in the Sharks’ recent 4-3 OT win over the Los Angeles Kings. Gaudette even scored a goal, proving he’s more than capable of filling the role. Warsofsky noted that while Misa is healthy, he’s only had one practice with the team since returning from the World Juniors. But let’s be real: you can’t bench the No. 2 pick of the 2025 Draft for too long.
‘We know we need to get him to play,’ Warsofsky said on Saturday morning. ‘He needs to get into games and find his rhythm. I don’t see him sitting for too long.’
The Sharks’ decision to keep Misa in the NHL instead of reassigning him to the OHL is a clear vote of confidence. They believe the 18-year-old center can contribute to their playoff run—just not every single game. Yet. He’ll need to earn that spot, outperforming other NHL-caliber forwards along the way. Is Misa ready for the challenge? Only time will tell.
As the Sharks (22-18-3) prepare to face the Stars (26-10-8), who are aiming for a season sweep, the lineup remains largely unchanged from their OT victory over the Kings. Alex Nedeljkovic starts in goal, with lines featuring Eklund-Celebrini-Chernyshov, Regenda-Wennberg-Toffoli, Skinner-Gaudette-Graf, and Goodrow-Ostapchuk-Reaves. On defense, Orlov-Liljegren, Ferraro-Iorio, and Dickinson-Leddy hold down the fort. Klingberg could return against Vegas, but Mukhamadullin is ruled out.
The puck drops at 1 PM PT at SAP Center. Catch the action live on NBC Sports California or tune in via the Sharks Audio Network. But before you do, ask yourself: Is Misa the missing piece the Sharks need to make a deep playoff run? Or is the pressure too much for a young star still finding his footing? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to spark some heated opinions.
