For a while, it appeared the Blackhawks would need to trade up to the No. 1 or 2 spot to have a shot at drafting top forward prospect Michael Misa. But now, there’s a growing sense that Misa might be available when they pick at No. 3.
In the days leading up to Friday night’s first round, rumors have swirled suggesting the Sharks are seriously considering taking forward Anton Frondell with the second overall pick — assuming the Islanders select defenseman Matthew Schaefer at No. 1, as widely expected.
The Blackhawks reportedly see Frondell-to-San Jose as a genuine possibility.
If that scenario plays out, it would leave Misa — regarded by most scouts and analysts as the top forward in the draft, and by some as being in the same elite tier as Schaefer — still on the board when the Blackhawks are on the clock.
While Chicago’s front office has been tight-lipped about its draft board, it’s widely believed they would jump at the chance to land Misa.
Misa dominated the OHL this season, racking up 134 points in 65 games with the Saginaw Spirit — the highest point total by a U18 player in the league since 2007. His performance underlined just how far ahead he was of his peers.
Known for his elite skating — both straight-line speed and lateral agility — Misa consistently uses his quickness to beat defenders, create plays, and get into high-danger scoring areas, making him a perfect fit for the Blackhawks’ style.
Beyond his speed, Misa boasts a high hockey IQ, reading the game with precision and adapting fluidly in real-time. His shot is strong, though not quite elite, and he’s also praised for his work ethic and competitiveness.
“He’s physical, he engages, he hunts pucks — he does a lot of things that you need a center to do, and on top of that, he’s got this tremendous scoring ability,” FloHockey scouting expert Chris Peters told the Sun-Times in May. “I don’t think he’s as dynamic a scorer as [Connor] Bedard…but there’s definitely a lot to like about his game.”
Misa’s size used to be a concern, but a recent growth spurt has helped ease those doubts. He measured in at 6-foot-1 and 182 pounds at the combine — a solid and competitive frame. While Frondell carries more weight at 204 pounds and has a stockier build, the two are actually the same height.
Although Misa primarily played on the wing for Saginaw during the 2022–23 and 2023–24 seasons, he transitioned to center in 2024–25 and is now projected to play that position in the NHL. For the Blackhawks, who already have Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar down the middle, that’s a situation they’d need to sort out — though the same positional overlap applies to most of this year’s top forward prospects, including Frondell.
“Ultimately, I wanted to make that jump back to center,” Misa said at the combine. “It helped my confidence level a lot. I feel a lot more comfortable down the middle, [and I] got a lot more puck touches.”
Misa believes he’s ready to make the leap to the NHL next season, though that will ultimately depend on how he performs in training camp. If any player from this draft class cracks an NHL roster right away, he’s the most likely candidate.
The Blackhawks showed strong interest throughout the year, taking him out to dinner multiple times. He also built a solid relationship with Hawks scout Jim McKellar before finally meeting the entire front office at the combine.
“I love the organization, so we’ll see what happens,” Misa said then.
The Blackhawks are also very high on Frondell, who boasts an exceptional shot and put up numbers in Sweden this season that stack up just as impressively as Misa’s when compared to past prospects.
If Misa is taken by the Sharks, Frondell is expected to be Chicago’s choice — though Caleb Desnoyers remains in the mix as a potential wild card.
Still, if Misa falls to No. 3, that would be the ideal outcome for the Hawks. With both Chicago and San Jose in the midst of rebuilds, their decisions on draft night could shape the direction of their franchises for years to come, making Friday a potentially defining moment for each team’s future.
