Prospect Update: Sasha Pastujov

By Thomas Harrington

The Anaheim Ducks chose forward Sasha Pastujov in the third round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, 66th overall. Pastujov made his professional debut this past season and spent the entire year in San Diego.

Pastujov had an up-and-down first AHL season. He played in 46 games for the Gulls and scored 10 goals and 23 points. He was a healthy scratch many nights, and was injured for over a month partway through the season. Pastujov also bounced around the lineup, and found himself in a bottom six role many nights. However, things started to turn around for him in the second half of the season. He didn’t score his first goal of the season until January, but finished with a hat trick that night. Pastujov also had a three-game goal streak in late March. He finished tied for 12th in points on San Diego and tied for 10th in goals. Among San Diego rookies, Pastujov finished tied for fourth in goals and sixth in points. The only Gulls rookie to have more goals or points than him and play in fewer games was Olen Zellweger.

I had two expectations for Pastujov last year, but he only partially hit on both. First, I wanted him to get some powerplay time with San Diego. He was able to do that, and scored two goals with the man advantage, but I was hoping to see more out of him on the powerplay. Second, for him to consistently play in San Diego’s top six. While he did see some time on the second line, he was primarily used in a bottom six role, most often on the team’s third line.

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This year, Pastujov will be back with San Diego. With his rookie season behind him and Jacob Perreault traded, more will be expected out of the young winger. First, I want him to set career highs in games played, goals, assists, and points. While his rookie numbers weren’t great, what Pastujov did in the second half of the season shows that he can be a much better player. Second, for him to not be a healthy scratch so often. Finally, for him to be more of a threat on the man advantage.

Pastujov still has a ways to go before he gets to the NHL. He struggled with the transition to professional hockey, and I think needs at least another season in the AHL before getting a chance. Last summer he was a dark horse candidate to make his NHL debut this past season, but that was with the hope that he had a much stronger rookie season with the Gulls. With expectations dialed back a little bit, I think it’s safe to say the earliest we see him in Anaheim is the 2025-2026 season.

Pastujov has two years left on his entry-level contract and he’ll be a restricted free agent when it’s over. As long as he’s a very good AHL player when the contract ends, he’ll be re-signed. If he can take that next step and make his NHL debut, or even become an NHL regular in the next couple of years, then he’ll be getting a one-way deal. However, if he continues to be a healthy scratch and scoring at an inconsistent pace, the Ducks will likely let him go.

The next prospect update will be on forward Pavol Regenda.

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September 22nd, 2024