Nesterenko Making the Most of his Latest Recall
The Anaheim Ducksrecalled forward Nikita Nesterenko (23) from the San Diego Gulls of the AHL on March 14 ahead of that evening’s matchup against the Nashville Predators and following upper-body injuries to forwards Ross Johnston and Sam Colangelo.
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Colangelo, himself, had been recalled on Feb. 27 with the announcement the Ducks had placed forward Robby Fabbri on IR with a broken hand. In his time with the Ducks, Colangelo impressed while playing primarily third-line minutes alongside Mason McTavish and Cutter Gauthier, scoring six points (5-1=6) in eight games before injury.
Colangelo had made the most of his opportunity in the Ducks’ top nine, and now there was a clear path for Nesterenko to do the same. This was Nesterenko’s second recall in the 2024-25 season. He had previously been recalled in January for a seven-game stint where he played predominantly fourth-line minutes and tallied two points (1-1=2) before being reassigned back to San Diego.
In his three games with the Ducks since his latest recall, Nesterenko has scored twice on four shots while averaging roughly 12.5 minutes per game and even saw a brief 30-second spell on the penalty kill in the Ducks’ latest game against the Dallas Stars, a 4-3 overtime loss.
“I thought he skated. He’s visible when he’s on the puck, forechecking,” Ducks head coach Greg Cronin said following his first game back with Anaheim, a 2-1 victory over Nashville. “His biggest strength is his ability to create some pace. He’s gotta try to convert that into some possessions. He didn’t have a lot of chances, so he has to take the energy that he brings and convert it into some offensive opportunities.”
Nesterenko began the season with San Diego in a premium top-six scoring role and tallied just 12 points (5-7=12) in his first 29 games of the season. His second stint with the Gulls after reassignment seems to have been the turning point of his year, as, upon his return to the AHL between Jan. 25 and March 8, he scored 22 points (8-14=22) in 19 games.
In his previous stints with the Ducks, Nesterenko had limited puck touches while attempting to play responsibly and make an impact on the forecheck. During the past three games, he has displayed areas of noticeable growth in his game and attention to detail. He’s been poised and confident transporting the puck from the defensive zone, through neutral, and into the offensive zone. He’s been tenacious on the forecheck, forcing turnovers or errant outlet passes from retrieving defensemen.
The aspect of his game that’s received the most significant upgrade has been his ability to provide a net-front presence and create space for his talented linemates. He’s timing his cuts, cleverly darting his way into the opposing goaltender’s line of vision. Both of his goals have come from deflections off perimeter shots.
“Treat it like a playoff game. That’s what Cro (Greg Cronin) was saying against Nashville,” Nesterenko said when asked about his approach to the remaining games on the schedule. “Get in every shot lane, block every shot, and sell out for the guy next to you. Every game from here on out is a playoff game, so we gotta treat it as such.
“Be simple, get the puck in. Stopping, getting back to the zone, and stopping,” Nesterenko continued. “We’re looping a little too much, so just kind of being compact, stopping in that house and then shoulder checking and not letting guys into that soft area and get easy looks.”
Nesterenko and Colangelo have each made the most of their second stints with the Ducks in their elevated roles, providing needed offense to a team that’s struggled in that department throughout the entirety of the season. It will be worth monitoring how the nightly forward lineup shakes out from here, but if the results continue for Nesterenko, he may make it difficult to pry him from his new top-nine role.
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