Graduated Prospect: Nikita Nesterenko

By Thomas Harrington

Acquired from the Minnesota Wild in the John Klingberg deal, forward Nikita Nesterenko played for both the Anaheim Ducks and San Diego Gulls this past season.

With the Gulls, Nesterenko played in 50 games and scored 13 goals and 34 points. He scored three goals and three points fewer than the previous season, but played in 20 less games. He finished seventh on the team in goals and was tied for seventh on the team in scoring. He was primarily used in a top six role, but saw a decent amount of time on the third line as well. He was one of eight San Diego players to score a shorthanded goal. Nesterenko started the season playing well, with a goal and three points in his first three games, but his offense dried up after that. However, starting in late January, he became one of San Diego’s most dangerous offensive players. From late January to early March, he racked up 23 of his 34 points, highlighted by back to back four point games.

Nesterenko was called up to Anaheim twice, once at the start of January and once in mid March. He was returned to San Diego in late January, and that’s when he started playing much better. Nesterenko’s stellar play earned him his second call up in mid-March, and he stayed with the Ducks until their season ended. Overall, he played in a career-high 20 NHL games and scored four goals and six points.

Coming into this season, Nesterenko had two career NHL goals, both of them against the St. Louis Blues. His first two goals this season were also scored against the Blues. He finally snapped that streak with a goal against Dallas. His fourth goal of the season was scored against Boston.

I had two expectations for Nesterenko last summer, and he hit both. First, if he played enough games in the AHL, for him to set career highs in goals and points. He missed both marks by three but played in 20 fewer games. If he had played in 70 games again, there’s little question he would have beaten those numbers. Second, for him to play in more than nine NHL games and score more than one goal. He had played in nine NHL games to end the 2022-2023 season and three games last year, and scored a goal both times. I wanted to see more time in the NHL from him and more offensive production, and once again, he was able to.

After a season split between Anaheim and San Diego, Nesterenko’s spot in Anaheim isn’t a guarantee. However, his recent signing of a one-way contract shows that the Ducks think he has a good chance to spend the year in the NHL. If he is assigned to the AHL, Nesterenko will have to pass through waivers and will likely be picked up by another team.

Nesterenko recently signed a two-year, one-way contract with the Ducks. He avoided restricted free agency by signing ahead of July 1st. He’ll be a restricted free agent when his new contract expires. Nesterenko’s career will be an interesting one to watch in the coming years. He’s shown that he has a high degree of offensive ability in the AHL. If he can translate even half of that to the NHL, he could become a solid contributor for the Ducks. If he fails to do that, the Ducks may choose to not qualify him and let him leave as an unrestricted free agent in two years.

With the graduated prospects now complete, it’s time to turn to the prospect updates, starting with defenseman Ian Moore.

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Graduated Prospect: Sam Colangelo

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July 8th, 2025