Prospect Update: Nico Myatovic

By Thomas Harrington

The Anaheim Ducks drafted forward Nico Myatovic in the second round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, 33rd overall. This was his second professional season and he spent the entire year in the AHL with the San Diego Gulls.

After scoring 10 goals and 19 points in 64 games as a rookie, Myatovic scored seven goals and 19 points in 71 games this past season. While it’s disappointing to see Myatovic not increase his offensive totals, some context needs to be taken into account. He was primarily used in a bottom six role, and saw time on the penalty kill. He was tied for the team lead in shorthanded goals with two. He also played in both playoff games for the Gulls, lining up on the fourth line with Nathan Gaucher and Judd Caulfield. Myatovic did not score in either postseason game.

I had three expectations for Myatovic last summer and he met one of them, while partially hitting the other two. First, I wanted him to set career highs in goals, assists, and points, while finishing with something around 15 goals and 25 points. Well, he fell short in goals, set a career high in assists with 12, matched his point total, and missed the goal and point marks. So, he gets partial credit for this expectation. Second, I wanted Myatovic to get more time in San Diego’s top nine. He did pull this off, since he played less than 30 games on the team’s fourth line. However, when San Diego was fully healthy, Myatovic was often relegated to the fourth line, as he was to close out the regular season and playoffs. Finally, I wanted Myatovic to play in a majority of San Diego’s games. He only missed one game all season, and this is the expectation that he fully met from a year ago.

Myatovic will be back with the Gulls this coming season. Depending on how the roster shakes out, he may get some top six time, but I think he’ll more likely keep being used in a checking role. If Gaucher is in San Diego, the two will probably continue to play together, forming an effective defensive line.

I have three expectations for Myatovic. First, for him to once again play in a majority of San Diego’s games. He won’t ever be an offensive juggernaut, but as long as he keeps playing well defensively, he’ll keep being given a consistent spot in the lineup. Second, for him to set a career high in goals and points. Finally, for him to continue to be a reliable presence on the Gulls’ penalty kill unit.

Myatovic is still at least a year or two away from making it to the NHL. While he’s not a prolific scorer, he plays the kind of game that could work on an NHL fourth line. If he can increase his offensive production this coming season, we could see him get a chance in the NHL in the 2027-2028 or 2028-2029 seasons.

Myatovic has one year left on his entry-level deal, and he’ll be a restricted free agent next summer. As long as he remains a consistent presence in San Diego’s lineup this coming season, he should get an extension next summer, likely a one-year, two-way deal. However, if he ends up being a healthy scratch or finds himself demoted to the ECHL, the Ducks will likely decide to let him go as a free agent.

The next prospect update will be on defenseman Drew Schock.

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Prospect Update: Nathan Gaucher

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July 28th, 2026