One of the top prospects may prefer the San Jose Sharks over the NY Islanders

Being selected first overall is an honor of a lifetime, but sometimes, depending on the fit, falling to a later pick could be better for some players in the long run.

While Michael Misa is certainly an option for the NY Islanders at first overall, the overall consensus is they’ll either select Matthew Schaefer or the hometown boy, James Hagens.

Who Selects Misa?

Either Misa knows the Islanders may not be passing on him, or he believes the San Jose Sharks are a better fit for him, after his roommate revealed Misa’s desire to be selected by the Sharks.

Malcom Spence, expected to be taken in the first round, was asked during his press conference about his interactions with the Sharks, stating, “My roommate, Michael Misa, is hoping to go there.”

Misa, ranked second overall among North American skaters by Central Scouting, is probably the most NHL-ready among himself, Schaefer, and Hagens. The Sharks have finished at the bottom of the league for the last two years, and have the league's top prospect pool.

Spence’s quote doesn’t appear to be disrespectful of the Islanders in any way, but more that Misa doesn’t expect to go first overall.

With the Scouting Combine wrapping up today, teams had the opportunity to get to know the prospects on a more personal level. The Islanders did their due diligence on all three prospects, spending an evening at dinner with each of them.

Each organization will now return to the drawing board, and the Isles will have their pick of the litter on June 27th, selecting first overall at the 2025 NHL Draft.