Sharks Draft Debate: Michael Misa Or Matthew Schaefer

Once the San Jose Sharks finish Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Kings, only nine games will remain in the season.

This time of the year for Sharks fans is about seeing growth in young players and the NHL Draft Lottery. Last season was hard to get through, but winning the lottery and drafting Macklin Celebrini was the result.

Now the focus shifts to the 2025 NHL Draft, where Michael Misa and Matthew Schaefer seem to be the top prospects San Jose could draft.

The lottery was held on May 7th last season and will likely be held around the same time this season.

As it stands, the San Jose Sharks have the best odds of winning the lottery for a second straight year, at 25.5%. If the Sharks win again, who will they take?

The Case for Matthew Schaefer

Right away, the biggest difference between Schaefer and Misa is position. Schaefer is a defenseman, a position the Sharks still somewhat lack in their prospect pool. Sam Dickinson and Luca Cagnoni are great talents, but adding Schaefer will likely give them the franchise cornerstone on the blue line.

Schaefer has had a tough draft season, but not for his play. The defenseman suffered a serious injury during Team Canada’s second game at the World Juniors. The 17-year-old broke his clavicle.

Like Dickinson, Schaefer plays in the OHL but for the Erie Otters. He’s only played 17 games for them this season and has seven goals and 15 assists. He’s returned to the ice and could enter the lineup during Erie’s first-round playoff series against the Saginaw Spirit.

The obvious drawback is Schaefer’s lack of updated film. His talent is not questioned, but he lost a year of critical development because of the injury.

Another is that he’s left-handed. Dickinson, Cagnoni, and Shakir Mukhamadullin are all left-handed. Mukhamadullin has played the right side well, but it isn’t ideal to make him do that his entire career.

Dickinson projects to be at least a top-three d-man for the Sharks, but Schaefer seemingly provides slightly more upside on paper.

The Case for Michael Misa

Misa was seen as a top-five talent headed into the 24-25 season. The centerman has done nothing but shatter expectations.

Misa led the entire OHL in points in the regular season with 134 (62 goals, 72 assists) in 65 games. Surprisingly, Misa wasn’t invited to Team Canada’s World Juniors selection camp.

At 6’1, 185 lbs, Misa makes up for his smaller size with his hockey IQ. He’s an elite skater with terrific hockey sense.

San Jose Sharks 2025 second-round pick Igor Chernyshov and Misa have shown tremendous chemistry since Chernyshov returned from injury. The Sharks prospect finished with 55 points (19 goals, 36 assists) in 23 games.

Like Schaefer, drafting Misa does have drawbacks. San Jose has two centers they view as their franchise cornerstones, Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith.

Misa’s calling card of high-octane offense automatically commands attention. Should the Sharks win the draft lottery, GM Mike Grier will need to make a decision.

Do the Sharks draft the best talent in Misa or more positional need in Schaefer?

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