SAN JOSE – San Jose Sharks rookie center Michael Misa will have to miss an extended period of time with a lower-body injury he sustained earlier this week during the team’s morning skate at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.
Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said the 18-year-old Misa, who was placed on injured reserve on Thursday, is now considered week-to-week with his ailment, which will keep him out of the lineup for several more games.
Warsofsky said Misa was injured during a Sharks power play drill on Wednesday morning, hours before the team’s game against the Kraken. Warsofsky said Misa entered a puck battle, “and something happened.”
The Sharks, who improved to 5-2-1 in their last eight games after a 6-1 win over the Kraken, host the Winnipeg Jets on Friday and the Florida Panthers on Saturday as they continue a month in which they play 15 times in 29 days.
“It’s not going to be his first time he’s injured in his NHL career,” Warsofsky said of Misa. “I know he’s disappointed, especially (being injured) in a morning skate is a little unique, it’s not in a game, which is frustrating (since he was) slated to play. But what doesn’t hurt you will make you stronger.”
Misa, selected second overall by the Sharks at the NHL Draft in June, had three points in seven games with the Sharks. If he plays in 10 NHL games this season, the first year of his NHL contract will be burned.
Warsofsky said the Sharks’ medical staff is confident that Misa will be out for a week or two and not require several months of recovery. Misa is a prime candidate to represent Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championships, which begin on December 26 in Minnesota.
Warsofsky said Misa can still develop, even though he will not be on the ice for the time being.
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“There’s still ways we can develop players,” Warsofsky said. “Obviously, you’re not getting the reps. But he’s going to watch (Mark Scheifele and Jonathan Toews on Friday), two of the best in the league. He’ll continue to watch (Macklin Celebrini and Alexander Wennberg).
“There’s video that we can show. There are meetings that we have. He’s not just out on an island doing his own little thing. He’s got rehab that he’ll have to do. So there’s still a lot of development we can do with him, even though he’s not on the ice.”
The Sharks on Thursday also recalled center Zack Ostapchuk from the Barracuda. Ostapchuk, though, will be a scratch Friday night.
Please check back for updates to this story.
