Ducks sign top prospect Nikita Klepov to entry-level contract
The Anaheim Ducks have signed 2026 first-round pick Nikita Kelpov to a three-year, entry-level contract.
Klepov’s deal will hold a cap hit of $1.075 million.
Klepov was the 15th overall pick this past June. The 18-year-old is coming off one of the best seasons in the OHL, registering a league-high 97 points (37 goals and 60 assists) with the Saginaw Spirit. He did it as a rookie, having played with the USHL’s Sioux City Musketeers the year prior. Just before kicking off his tenure in Saginaw, Klepov helped the United States win gold at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup thanks to his six points in five games.
Notably, Klepov was set to play for the NCAA’s Michigan State University Spartans in 2026-27. The Spartans even listed him on their roster in a social media post on Friday. The deal prevents Klepov from going the college route, with Anaheim and Saginaw being the only options for the winger. Klepov was drafted 35th overall by the Spirit during the 2025 CHL Import Draft.
The Deerfield Beach, Florida native was rated as the No. 1 prospect on Daily Faceoff’s Anaheim Ducks prospect pool rankings earlier this summer.
Klepov is a tremendous playmaker, with many considering him to be among the best in the CHL. But he’s also a stout shooter and wasn’t far off from reaching the 40-goal barrier, too. It was surprising, given he only put up 31 points in the USHL the year prior. Klepov plays with a ton of finesse, but he’s also physically strong, too. He’s just an OK skater, but it doesn’t feel like something that scouts are too worried about eventually.
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