Prospect Update: Sasha Pastujov

By Thomas Harrington

Drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the third round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, forward Sasha Pastujov played in both the ECHL and AHL this past season.

Pastujov didn’t have a strong training camp and preseason, and was surprisingly assigned to the ECHL to start the season. He played for the Tulsa Oilers for 12 games and scored nine goals and 16 points. Despite playing in so few games for Tulsa, Pastujov still finished tied for 11th on the team in goals.

Pastujov was called up to the AHL in November and never looked back. He played in 43 games for the Gulls and scored 17 goals and 45 points, bettering the 10 goals and 23 points he had as a rookie despite playing in three fewer games. The only other time he missed all season came in March when he missed the month with an injury. Despite playing in so few games, Pastujov still finished fourth on San Diego in goals and third in assists and points. He spent most of his time on the Gulls’ second line and found some real chemistry with Jan Mysak.

In his second game back with the Gulls, Pastujov scored two goals. He actually had a bit of a slow start after his recall from the ECHL, but he really caught fire in mid-December when he had a five-game point streak. After that streak ended, he then went on a ridiculous 13-game point streak that included a career high four assist game against Iowa in early January. It also set the record for a point streak by a Gulls player.

Pastujov was named the AHL player of the month in January, when he scored six goals and 19 points in 12 games. He is the first player for the Gulls to be named AHL player of the month. For a team starved for offense, if Pastujov had been present at the start of the season playing like this, they might have had a chance at making the postseason. However, he didn’t have a great training camp and earned the demotion to the ECHL. Being sent to Tulsa could end up being beneficial for him in the long run, as he used it to help motivate him to play better.

I had two expectations for Pastujov last summer, and despite starting the year in the ECHL, he mostly hit both. First, I wanted him to set career highs in games played, goals, assists, and points. He was able to hit the goals, assists, and points marks, but missed on the games played because of his time in the ECHL and late season injury. Second, I wanted him to be more of a threat on the man advantage. After scoring two powerplay goals in his rookie year, Pastujov scored five times on the man advantage, good for third on the team.

This coming year, Pastujov should be back with the Gulls and hopefully not spend any more time in the ECHL. I’m hoping he and Mysak will continue to play together and further develop their chemistry. Who knows, maybe someday we’ll see the two of them together in the NHL.

I have three expectations for Pastujov heading into next season. First, for him to not spend any time in the ECHL this coming season. It was disappointing to see him assigned to Tulsa to start last year. It was great to see how well he responded to that but he needs to play at a level where that’s not even considered. Second, for him to play in more than 60 AHL games. This will be his third professional season of hockey and he needs to show that he can play close to a full AHL season. Finally, for him to finish in the top three on San Diego for goals, assists, and points.

A year ago, I said the earliest we might see Pastujov in the NHL was the 2025-2026 season. That still could happen, but based on how last year went, I think the 2026-2027 season is more likely. While Pastujov was one of San Diego’s best forwards last year, there’s a reason why he started out in the ECHL. Also, after his recall, it took a little while for him to find his game with the Gulls. I think what he needs is a full season in the AHL, where he plays well from start to finish, and then he’ll have a legitimate shot at the NHL. However, if he can pick up where he left off, Pastujov could earn a game or two in the NHL this season.

Pastujov has one year remaining on his entry-level deal. As long as he’s one of San Diego’s better forwards this season, he should be extended a year from now. But if he regresses and ends up spending time in the ECHL again, the Ducks could consider letting him leave as a free agent.

The next prospect update will be on defenseman Tristan Luneau.

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Prospect Update: Calle Clang

Prospect Update: Darels Uljanskis

Prospect Update: Ethan Procyszyn

Prospect Update: Damian Clara

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September 14th, 2025