Prospect Update: Nico Myatovic

By Thomas Harrington

Drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the second round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, forward Nico Myatovic spent all of last year playing for the San Diego Gulls, his first full season of professional hockey.

Myatovic had made his AHL debut at the end of the 2023-2024 season, going scoreless in 12 games for the San Diego Gulls. This past year, he skated in 64 games and scored 10 goals and 19 points. He finished 10th on the team in goals and tied for 12th in points. Among San Diego’s rookies, he finished third in goals and fourth in points, while leading them in games played.

Myatovic had a slow start to the season, going pointless through his first several games. He then missed a few games with an injury towards the end of October. He was used primarily on the fourth line and finally recorded his first career AHL point in late November against Ontario. His first goal came almost a month later. Myatovic started to heat up a bit in the new year, including a four-game stretch where he recorded two goals and four points. San Diego and Anaheim both suffered several forward injuries late in the season, and Myatovic was given significant time in the top six starting in late February. While he didn’t become an offensive force, he did record nine points from March 21st through the end of the season, essentially doubling his offensive output over the final month of the season. His best stretch saw him record five points in a four-game span.

I had three expectations for Myatovic last summer, and he hit most of them. Given that he was still a teenager when the AHL season started, I didn’t want to put his expectations too high. First, I wanted him to play in at least half of San Diego’s games. He ended up playing in 64 out of a possible 72 games, only missing eight games all season. This was actually the most important thing for me this past season given that he missed so much of the 2023-2024 season due to injury. Second, for him to be used in a variety of situations, and he certainly was, as he played on every line for the Gulls and in just about every situation possible. Finally, I wanted Myatovic to score somewhere around 10 goals and 25 points, similar numbers to what a number of San Diego rookies had done the season before. He hit 10 goals but didn’t quite get to 25 points, so I’ll give him partial credit for this one.

Myatovic will be back with San Diego for his sophomore professional campaign. With a year of AHL hockey under his belt, more will be expected out of him. First, I want him to set career highs in goals, assists, and points. He doesn’t need to be one of San Diego’s top scorers, but I’d like to see something in the neighborhood of 15 goals and 25 points out of him. Second, Myatovic was given a decent amount of top six times last season, but that was primarily driven by injuries to other players. When the Gulls were healthy, he was primarily used on the fourth line. This coming year, I’d like to see him spend less time on the fourth line and more time in a top-nine role on the team. Finally, for him to once again play in a majority of San Diego’s games. It’s so important for young players to get consistent ice time, especially when they’ve dealt with major injuries early in their career.

I think Myatovic still has a little while before he makes his NHL debut. Last year, I figured he’d play at least two years in the AHL before getting a shot at the NHL. While he didn’t have a bad rookie year, I also don’t think it was good enough for him to need only one more year with San Diego before getting a chance in Anaheim. So I think he still has at least another two years with the Gulls and then we may see him with the Ducks in the 2027-2028 season.

Myatovic has two years remaining on his entry-level deal, and he’ll be a restricted free agent once it’s complete. His rookie season in the AHL was solid but unspectacular. As long as he can build on that and improve over the next couple of seasons, Myatovic should be re-signed, likely to a two-way deal.

The next prospect update will be on forward Yegor Sidorov.

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Graduated Prospect: Sam Colangelo

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Graduated Prospect: Nikita Nesterenko

Prospect Update: Ian Moore

Prospect Update: Kyle Kukkonen

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July 19th, 2025