Welcome back to Top Shelf Prospects, the column that brings you the next crop of professional hockey players. Each day our LWOS Prospects Writers will bring you a new player profile or topical article in the lead-up to the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. Be sure to bookmark the site, follow Ben Kerr, and Frederik Frandsen on Twitter, and spread the word for the site that will bring you analytical and critical profiles and scouting reports! Last Word On Hockey Prospects is your new headquarters for everything “NHL Draft”! Today we bring you our Luke Misa Scouting Report.
Luke Misa 2024 NHL Draft Scouting Report
Centre— Shoots Left
Born November 25th, 2005 — Oakville , ON, CAN
Height 5’10″ — Weight 165 lbs [178 cm / 75 kg]
Skating
Luke Misa as a player is 165 lbs of pure energy. From the moment he touches the ice he is playing with a ton of energy and never seems to stop moving or slow down. Everything he does happens at full speed which includes his skating. He is fast and yet able to move and maneuver around the ice with ease due to his strong edges. Even when handling the puck he is able to maintain his speed and agility which is rare to see. This especially comes in handy in transition as he is able to carry the puck up ice with ease.
His skating abilities also helps his two-way game as he constantly is in pursuit of the puck carrier. He wants to win the puck and will hound whoever has it with his speed and feisty nature. This does however come with the caveat that his movement is too chaotic and ineffective. He can at times over skate the puck or get caught out of position due to his eagerness to chase the puck. So while his skating is fast, feisty, and with a ton of heart, being smarter when using it will be key.
Offensive Game
When talking about one-dimensional players, it’s often used towards snipers, who overlook passes in favour of a low-percentage shot. However, with Luke Misa it’s reversed. Here his shot isn’t quite at the level one could hope for. It lacks both power and accuracy to become a threat.
This means Misa tend to look for passing plays and generate chances as a playmaker. A skill Misa makes the most of overall. As a playmaker Misa is using both clever movement, smooth hands, and great vision to open up lanes through the opposing defence. He keeps things moving quickly and can suddenly make a pinpoint, accurate pass across to a wide-open teammate. With improvements to the shot, Misa has a lot of potential as an important depth player offensively.
Defensive Game
Due to Misa’s high-energy style, his defensive game has a lot to enjoy. He works incredibly hard and isn’t afraid of doing whatever it takes. He plays far bigger than his size suggests and is willing to work down low and in the dirty areas to regain position. Due to his skating, he is often the first player to apply pressure on the backcheck and his stickwork is smart and skilled.
Once he gets the puck in his own zone, he will often make a great stretch pass to allow for a change. A play that can result in a few too many icing calls which nullifies the won puck battle and chance to switch up momentum. Being a bit more smart and calm with the puck would help his game a lot.
Projection and Comparison on Luke Misa’s Scouting Report
Luke Misa would have been coaches and GM’s darling during this draft if he was slightly taller and bigger. Being an undersized player, with a mediocre shot, and limited offensive upside, doesn’t exactly scream first-round pick. However, he is a heart and soul player who plays every shift like it was his last. He plays with a hunger and energy that’s hard not to admire. On top of his great attitude, his two-way game is quite refined, and most of the things that need improvement come form experience. If it does improve along with the shot Misa could be a middle-six playmaker in the NHL, similar to Anthony Cirelli.
Main photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
