According to a team announcement, the Anaheim Ducks have returned forward Nikita Klepov to the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit. Klepov will remain with the Spirit through the end of the 2026-27 campaign and attempt to crack Anaheim’s roster next season.
Because he didn’t reach the 10-game mark, or even come close, the Ducks can now slide Klepov’s entry-level contract despite him making his NHL debut. Klepov finishes his first four NHL contests going scoreless with a -2 rating, averaging 13:03 of ice time per game.
On the one hand, it’s a smart move by Anaheim; even though Klepov had five more games of eligibility, the recent 15th overall pick should get more playing time. Now, Klepov can pick up where he left off with Saginaw.
He scored 37 goals and 97 points in 67 games for the Spirit last season. Unfortunately for Saginaw, the Kitchener Rangers swept them in the 2026 OHL Playoffs conference quarterfinals.
On the other hand, the Ducks may have missed the mark by signing Klepov to his entry-level contract so early. Before signing his first professional contract, Klepov was committed to play at Michigan State University for the 2026-27 campaign.
However, since he signed a professional deal, he was no longer eligible for the NCAA.
Instead, Klepov returns to a level he has already dominated after making four NHL appearances. If the Ducks weren’t planning to give him more opportunity, it would have been wiser to have him remain without a contract so he could play for the Spartans.