Minnesota Wild 2024 NHL Draft Target: Luke Misa

Dylan Loucks

Jun 28, 2024, 12:51

Dylan Loucks

Jun 28, 2024, 12:51

Continuing the Minnesota Wild Draft Target series with Mississauga Steelheads forward Luke Misa.

Continuing the Minnesota Wild Draft Target series, today we look at Mississauga Steelheads forward Luke Misa.

The older brother of the phenom and top-ten projected 2025 draft pick, Michael Misa. Although Michael gets most of the attention, Luke should get some too. He finished this year tied for 18th in the OHL in scoring.

Luke beat out his brother this year as the Steelheads leading scorer. In 66 games, Luke recorded 26 goals, 55 assists, and 81 points for Mississauga.

As an undersized center there are going to be questions on if Misa's production in the OHL will translate to the NHL. He is 5-foot-10 and is ranked 76th by NHL Central Scouting. He is projected by many publications to go in the second round and possibly the early stages of the third.

The Wild have the 45th overall pick this year and do not have a third round pick this year.

"As good as his numbers are, will they translate at the next level?" one scout said. "He's an undersized guy and he's had a strong season. But at times, he's disappeared. So, there's a consistency factor to think of. Does he have a secondary game to fall back on? Because you have to be exceptional as a smaller guy to produce in the NHL."

Ryan Kennedy with The Hockey News has Misa at 49 on his top 120 rankings for the 2024 NHL Draft.

According to Hockey Prospecting, Misa has similar draft comps to guys like Claude Giroux, Alexander Steen, Nikolaj Ehlers, and Matt Duchene. All of which are great NHLers.

These comps come as a celling for Misa of what he can get to at the NHL level if his game translates. If you were told before the draft that you could get one of those four players listed above with the 45th pick, you'd be stoked.

"Luke has great offensive instincts and skill," one scout said. "His vision with the puck is up there with some of the best and his coaches put him in a position to use it. The power play goes through him, and he's getting close to being an elite offensive player. he has to work on his play away from the puck but it's getting better."

It isn't guaranteed that Misa will become what is celling is but it is a good risk to take if you're the Wild, whom have had many picks in the first two rounds the last couple of years.

The Wild can take a risk in the draft, weather Misa booms or busts will remain to be seen. But by the looks of it, it seems he would be a good prospect to add to your system.

Make sure you bookmark The Hockey News' Minnesota Wild page for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.