2025 No. 1 pick Matthew Schaefer is keeping tabs on 2025 No. 2 pick Michael Misa.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll text him every once in a bit and things like that, see how things are,\u201d Schaefer, who skates with Misa in the summer, said.<\/p>\n
Schaefer, the Calder Trophy frontrunner and Norris Trophy contender, has noticed his friend\u2019s post-World Juniors surge.<\/p>\n
Since Jan. 19, Misa has four goals and 10 points in 13 games, shoring up the San Jose Sharks\u2019 third-line center position after Ty Dellandrea\u2019s injury.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, he loves it here. Obviously, the weather\u2019s nice too,\u201d Schaefer said. \u201cLooks like he\u2019s doing what he does best.\u201d<\/p>\n
Of course, for a while, it looked like Schaefer would end up in teal. The last-place 2024-25 Sharks had the best odds to get the No. 1 pick in the 2025 Draft.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously, San Jose is a good organization, but for me, I believe everything happens for reason,\u201d Schaefer said.<\/p>\n
That was the New York Islanders winning the lottery, jumping from No. 10 to No. 1 in the 2025 Draft.<\/p>\n
Speaking of first-overall picks, Schaefer has seen plenty of 2024 No. 1 Macklin Celebrini, especially recently at the Olympics. How will the defenseman stop the center?<\/p>\n
\u201cYou want to stay on him at all times, obviously, not give him any opportunities as much as you can,\u201d Schaefer said, emphasizing that it\u2019s a team effort to stop the likes of Celebrini. \u201cTry to keep from getting around that net and things like that.\u201d<\/p>\n
San Jose Sharks (30-25-5)<\/p>\n
Yaroslav Askarov should start.<\/p>\n
Ryan Reaves will come in for Philipp Kurashev. Adam Gaudette should take Kurashev\u2019s spot on the Alex Wennberg line. Macklin Celebrini goes back to center.<\/p>\n
The Sharks recalled defenseman Nolan Allan, and there\u2019s a chance that he plays. Ryan Warsofsky says there are a couple game-time decisions on defense, none up front.<\/p>\n
\nSome outside perspective on Nolan Allan’s game and ceiling: https:\/\/t.co\/yGExRblIp1<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
New York Islanders (35-23-5)<\/p>\n
Ilya Sorokin will start.<\/p>\n
\n#Isles<\/a> morning skate<\/p>\n
Heineman-Horvat-Barzal
Ritchie-Schenn-Palat
Lee-Pageau-Holmstrom
Duclair-Cizikas-Gatcomb
Extras: MacLean, Shabanov
Schaefer-Pulock
Pelech-DeAngelo
Soucy-Mayfield
Extra: Boqvist
Sorokin (starter\u2019s net)
Rittich<\/p>\n\u2014 Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) March 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\n<\/blockquote>\nWhere To Watch<\/p>\n
Puck drop between the San Jose Sharks and New York Islanders is at 7 PM PT at SAP Center. Watch it live on NBC Sports California. Listen to it on the Sharks Audio Network.<\/p>\n
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