Sharks’ Misa returns to San Jose, but questions linger about what’s next

SAN JOSE – Rookie Michael Misa was added back onto to the Sharks’ roster on 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 some time to decompress 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.

If Misa plays three more games with the Sharks, the first year of his entry level contract would kick in.

To make room for Misa on the 23-man roster, the Sharks, before Tuesday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, placed defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin on injured reserve. Mukhamadullin was injured in the Sharks’ 7-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday and will at least have to miss San Jose’s upcoming games against Los Angeles on Wednesday and Dallas on Saturday. His injury is not expected to keep him out long-term.

Barring more injuries, more roster spots would have to be created by the Sharks once defensemen Vincent Desharnais and John Klingberg and forwards Will Smith and Philipp Kurashev are able to come off injured reserve. Desharnais could be activated by this weekend, Warsofsky said, Klingberg is not expected to be out long term and Smith and Kurashev are expected back within the next month.

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.”

The Sharks did not loan Sam Dickinson to the Canada for the World Juniors with Warsofsky saying before the tournament began that the team did not want the rookie defenseman to revert to his old junior habits. There wasn’t a concern with Misa.

“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.”

Goalie Josh Ravensbergen, taken 30th by the Sharks in the 2025 draft, was also on Canada’s bronze medal winning team and dressed for two games.

Defenseman Leo Sahlin-Wallenius, taken 53rd overall by the Sharks in 2024, helped Sweden capture the gold with six points in seven games.

The younger brother of Sharks winger William Eklund, Victor, was also part of Sweden’s gold medal winning team.

OTHER UPDATES

Forwards Adam Gaudette and Patrick Giles were scratched for Tuesday’s game but both will be available to play against the Kings. Goalie Alex Nedeljkovic started Tuesday game, likely leaving Yaroslav Askarov to play against Los Angeles.