The Anaheim Ducks made a roster move today, sending forward Nikita Nesterenko down to the San Diego Gulls, their AHL affiliate. For a young player like Nesterenko, who’s been bouncing between the NHL and AHL, this is another step in what’s shaping up to be a developmental journey with plenty of upside.
Nesterenko, 24, has seen consistent time with the Ducks this season, skating in 29 games and tallying nine points (1 goal, 8 assists). One of the highlights came early - back on October 23 in Boston, he notched a career-best four primary assists in a breakout performance that showed flashes of what he can bring when things click.
Overall, through 61 NHL games with Anaheim, Nesterenko has put up 17 points (7 goals, 10 assists) and logged 10 penalty minutes. Those numbers don’t jump off the page just yet, but there’s a foundation here.
He’s got the size - 6-foot-2, 203 pounds - and he’s shown he can produce in spurts. Now it’s about finding consistency, and that’s exactly what the AHL stint is designed to help with.
Last season, he split time between Anaheim and San Diego, tallying six points in 20 NHL games and 34 points (13 goals, 21 assists) in 50 games with the Gulls. That AHL production tells you he’s capable of generating offense at the pro level - 71 points in 120 career AHL games, to be exact, with a +7 rating and 74 penalty minutes. He’s not just surviving in the minors; he’s contributing.
Nesterenko came to Anaheim as part of the March 2023 trade that sent veteran defenseman John Klingberg to Minnesota. The Ducks received Nesterenko, Andrej Sustr, and a 2025 fourth-round pick in return - a move that was clearly about building for the future. And Nesterenko, a Brooklyn native, has the pedigree to be part of that long-term plan.
Before turning pro, he played three seasons at Boston College, where he put up 77 points (28 goals, 49 assists) in 93 games and posted a strong +25 rating. That college career showcased his two-way potential and knack for creating offense in transition - tools that still translate at the pro level.
For now, the focus shifts back to San Diego, where Nesterenko will look to sharpen his game and stay ready for the next call-up. Anaheim’s in a rebuild, and with that comes opportunity. If Nesterenko can take another step forward in the AHL, don’t be surprised if he’s back in a Ducks sweater before long - and making a stronger case to stick around.