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BUFFALO, NEW YORK – JUNE 26: Nikita Klepov of the United States is drafted by the Anaheim Ducks with the fifteenth overall pick during day one of the 2026 NHL Draft on June 26, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
The Anaheim Ducks must think pretty highly of Nikita Klepov\u2019s NHL chances. The newly minted first-round draft pick (15th overall) signed his three-year entry-level contract on Saturday. It was a move that surprised some observers.<\/p>\n
Klepov had committed to play hockey at Michigan State this season. By signing this contract, Klepov can\u2019t play in the NCAA. He\u2019s also not eligible for the AHL\u2019s new 19-year-old exception rule.<\/p>\n
From the look of it, the standout OHL producer will get every chance to make the Ducks. Otherwise, he returns to the Saginaw Spirit in hopes of building on last season\u2019s 97-point campaign (37 goals, 60 assists).<\/p>\n
Klepov making the team would be a welcome surprise following a tumultuous offseason<\/a>.<\/p>\n Nikita Klepov\u2019s NHL Chances are Rising<\/p>\n There are myriad factors contributing to Klepov\u2019s outlook as a potential NHL player in his first season after being drafted (DY+1). First, Klepov\u2019s production at the OHL was strong. He led the Ontario Hockey League in points in his draft year. That puts him in impressive company. Over the last 20 years, forwards Michael Misa, Marco Rossi, Dylan Strome, Tyler Seguin, Taylor Hall, John Tavares, Justin Azevedo and Patrick Kane either led the OHL or tied for the OHL lead in points in their draft year. Azevedo, a 5-foot-7-inch winger, is the only player<\/a> among that group not to make the NHL.<\/p>\n Klepov is the only player among that group to be drafted in the first round but outside the top 10 (Azevedo went in the sixth round to Los Angeles). The history of the league indicates Klepov should be in safe company to be a future NHLer. Even in a down year for the league, Klepov accomplished a scoring feat usually reserved for players taken near the top of the NHL Draft.<\/p>\n Now, not all of those players made the NHL in their DY+1. Rossi and Strome both took some time to break into the league. Misa played in the NHL, though San Jose limited him to 45 games.<\/p>\n The Ducks Roster Uncertainty Could Benefit Klepov<\/p>\n Leo Carlsson signing a five-year, $90 million offer sheet ($18 million average annual value) changed much in Anaheim. The Ducks matched Philadelphia\u2019s attempt to poach the player. Yet, the future salary structure for Anaheim is in flux. There have been some suggestions that winger Cutter Gauthier is hoping for a similar deal<\/a>. If true, that would only complicate matters further for Anaheim Ducks GM Pat Verbeek.<\/p>\n Even if Anaheim can get Gauthier to sign for a reasonable contract, the Ducks will likely need to shed some salary. That won\u2019t be the only consideration in training camp for Klepov.<\/p>\n Nikita Klepov\u2019s NHL chances are likely bolstered because he could already be<\/a> the best winger in Anaheim\u2019s system. There are other high-end forwards, like Roger McQueen, who could make a case for the NHL this season. Klepov\u2019s natural ability on the wing, where McQueen is a center, could give him a boost.<\/p>\n Those changes could include trades of at least one forward, possibly more. Alex Killorn (one year, $6.25 million) and Frank Vatrano (two years, $4.571 million) are both potential salary cap casualties this off-season. Moving on from either one wouldn\u2019t guarantee Klepov a roster spot, but the path would have fewer obstacles.<\/p>\n Klepov\u2019s Options Outside the NHL are Noteworthy<\/p>\n Nikita Klepov can\u2019t play in the AHL next season. His contract means he can\u2019t play in the NCAA. Zach Cavanagh, a Ducks beat writer for\u00a0The Sporting Tribune, confirmed with the team<\/a> that Klepov will either<\/a> be in the OHL or NHL, largely depending on what he does in training camp.<\/p>\n Verbeek executed the trade of Mason McTavish, the former third overall selection in 2021, to acquire the draft capital<\/a> that landed Klepov in Anaheim. Verbeek said the organization had a clear plan in mind.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen Klepov was there, that really helped us make the decision. If he wasn\u2019t there, we wouldn\u2019t have made the deal.\u201d<\/p>\n That doesn\u2019t sound like an evaluator who is lukewarm on the player. The Ducks\u2019 actions since the NHL Draft haven\u2019t done anything to dissuade the idea that Klepov could be an NHL contributor next season.<\/p>\n This hasn\u2019t been the easiest off-season in Anaheim. The Carlsson offer sheet, Gauthier salary demand rumors and departures of multiple veteran players (John Carlson, Jacob Trouba and Radko Gudas) should have fans wondering about a return to the playoffs. That\u2019s alarming for one of the breakout teams of last season.<\/p>\n If Klepov provides an unexpected boon, the outlook for Anaheim could start to swing right back the other way. It\u2019s been a tumultuous offseason, yet there\u2019s a glimmer of hope for safer waters.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tAlex Wiederspiel<\/a> Alex Wiederspiel covers the NHL for for Heavy.com. He is a play-by-play broadcaster, host of Locked On Podcast Network’s NHL Game Night and former radio news anchor and digital news journalist in West Virginia. Avid lover of all dogs, but primarily the two monsters that live in his house. 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