Musty has put together an excellent first AHL campaign as a 20-year-old with the San Jose Barracuda, playing an important offensive role for the club. The 2023 first-rounder has appeared in 53 games with 17 goals and 18 assists for 35 points, showing a consistent scoring touch and a smooth transition to the pro ranks — at least on the offensive side of the puck. His offensive toolkit suggests he has the potential to occupy a top-nine role once he makes his way to the NHL. He brings a strong blend of size, skill and playmaking ability and has shown he can drive sustained zone time and contribute at even strength. His game stands out in the Barracuda forward group, where he has been one of the more reliable sources of secondary scoring.

Igor Chernyshov currently sits ahead of him on the organizational depth chart, as evidenced by multiple call-ups this year, and that appears tied to Musty’s defensive play. He has never been a standout in that area, and at the NHL level he’ll need to find a level of consistency and reliability that coaches can trust. That remains the next clear area for growth if he hopes to stick in a middle-six role.

The wing group in San Jose is starting to get crowded, but there could be a top-nine opening depending on what the Sharks decide to do with Ty Dellandrea, Barclay Goodrow and Adam Gaudette. With pro-ready offense and a developing two-way game, Musty has a legitimate chance to push for NHL time next year, which will be the second year of his entry-level contract.

Musty had a phenomenal final year to his OHL career despite it being only 33 games. He scored 30 goals and 59 points, numbers that placed him sixth in the OHL in points per game. He then made the jump to the AHL, where he got into little action, seeing less than 14 minutes a night with the San Jose Barracuda. As an all-around offensive weapon, Musty projects as a top-six forward and should make a career out of playing alongside either Michael Misa, Macklin Celebrini, and/or Will Smith. Expect Musty to play a bit in the minors this year before breaking into the NHL full-time in 2026-27.

After the Sudbury Wolves’ first-round exit from the Ontario Hockey League Playoffs, the San Jose Sharks loaned Musty from Sudbury to the American Hockey League San Jose Barracuda on Monday, April 7, 2025. During the 2024-25 season, Musty had 59 points (30 goals and 29 assists) in 33 games with the Wolves.