Nesterenko was scratched for the 11th game in a row in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Blue Jackets.
The Ducks appear to be happy with the forwards they have in the lineup currently, and that doesn't include Nesterenko at this time. The 24-year-old made the team out of training camp and has earned eight points with 22 shots on net, 41 hits and a plus-1 rating over 23 appearances this season. Nesterenko would require waivers to go to AHL San Diego, and the Ducks are likely hesitant to risk losing him for nothing, but it'll take at least one injury to a forward for him to get back in the lineup regularly.
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Ducks' Nikita Nesterenko: One of each in win
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Nesterenko scored a goal on two shots, added an assist and went plus-2 in Tuesday's 7-3 win over the Panthers.
Nesterenko's goal late in the second period stood as the game-winner, and he also helped out on a Chris Kreider tally in the third. This was just the second game out of 10 that Nesterenko has earned a point, but both have been multi-point efforts with the winger racking up a goal and five helpers. He's also put up nine shots on net, 17 hits and a plus-5 rating so far. Nesterenko isn't seeing much power-play time and is in a middle-six role at even strength, but he could be worth a look in deeper formats if he can find a bit more consistency.
Nesterenko signed a two-year, one-way contract with the Ducks on Wednesday.
Nesterenko had four goals, six points, two PIM and 46 hits in 20 appearances with Anaheim in 2024-25. He also recorded 13 goals and 34 points across 50 regular-season outings with AHL San Diego. Nesterenko will need to fight to gain a bottom-six spot on the Ducks' Opening Night roster, but the fact that the 23-year-old secured a one-way deal suggests Anaheim likes his chances of playing the bulk of the next two seasons in the NHL.
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Ducks' Nikita Nesterenko: Reassigned to AHL
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Nesterenko was sent to AHL San Diego on Thursday.
Anaheim's campaign is over, so Nesterenko will close the books on the NHL season with four goals and six points across 20 outings with the Ducks. He can still help out San Diego in the short term -- Nesterenko has 13 goals and 34 points in 48 appearances with the minor-league club in 2024-25 -- but the Gulls won't be making the playoffs either.
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Ducks' Nikita Nesterenko: Credited with helper
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Nesterenko notched an assist and four hits in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Avalanche.
Nesterenko ended his seven-game point drought with an assist on a Mason McTavish tally in the first period. The 23-year-old Nesterenko has seen his ice time fluctuate wildly late in the season -- his 15:46 on Sunday was his highest mark of the season, and it came just two games after he bottomed out at 4:59 versus the Flames on Wednesday. He's produced six points, 20 shots on net, 46 hits and a minus-4 rating over 20 appearances, a level of offense that suggests he's best suited to bottom-six duties.
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Ducks' Nikita Nesterenko: Questionable vs. Nashville
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Nesterenko (undisclosed) missed the morning skate and is questionable for Thursday's clash against Nashville, Derek Lee of The Hockey News reports.
Nesterenko has three goals, four points, nine shots and 24 hits in 10 appearances in 2024-25. If he's unavailable versus the Predators, then Anaheim will probably dress 11 forwards and seven defensemen, which would result in Oliver Kylington making his Ducks debut.
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Ducks' Nikita Nesterenko: Lights lamp in loss
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Nesterenko scored a goal and added three hits in Thursday's 6-2 loss to the Blues.
The goal was Nesterenko's first point in three games since he joined the NHL roster. He's added eight hits, two shots on net and a minus-1 rating while playing on the fourth line. He's scored one goal in each of the last three seasons over a total of 15 contests. Nesterenko is still young enough to show some potential, but it'll be tough for him to do so without a larger role.
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Ducks' Nikita Nesterenko: Assigned to AHL affiliate
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Nesterenko was reassigned to AHL San Diego on Wednesday.
The Ducks are off until Friday versus Calgary, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Nesterenko back with the big club ahead of that contest. The 22-year-old winger has picked up one goal through three top-level appearances this season.
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Ducks' Nikita Nesterenko: Recalled from AHL
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Nesterenko was called up from AHL San Diego on Friday, according to Derek Lee of The Sporting Tribune.
Nesterenko has spent the entire season in the at the AHL level, scoring 15 goals while adding 18 assists in 63 appearances. He played nine games with the Ducks last season -- after finishing three seasons at Boston College -- scoring once at the NHL level. He could play Friday versus Seattle, as Mason McTavish is questionable with a lower-body injury.
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Ducks' Nikita Nesterenko: Sent to minors
Rotowire
Nesterenko was reassigned to AHL San Diego on Wednesday.
Nesterenko was unable to make Anaheim's Opening Night roster out of training camp, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him get summoned by the Ducks during the campaign. The 22-year-old had 13 goals and 34 points in 36 NCAA games with Boston College in 2022-23. He also recorded a goal in nine outings with the Ducks.
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Ducks' Nikita Nesterenko: Nets first pro goal
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Nesterenko scored a goal on two shots in Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Blues.
This was Nesterenko's third NHL appearance after signing out of Boston College. The 21-year-old winger has produced six shots on net while filling a middle-six role as he gets a late-season audition with the Ducks. He may have some appeal as a budget option in DFS down the stretch, but playing in a weak offense limits his rest-of-season potential.
