ANAHEIM, Calif. – Getting in some early work on their stash of restricted free agents, the Anaheim Ducks signed forward Nikita Nesterenko to a two-year extension on Wednesday.

Anaheim will still own the RFA rights to Nesterenko, 23, at the end of the deal in 2027. The former Boston College Eagle will make $787,500 per season on the one-way deal, meaning his salary won’t change between the NHL and AHL, and he would be subject to waivers if sent down to AHL San Diego.

Nesterenko has appeared in parts of three seasons with the Ducks and set career highs this season with four goals and two assists in 20 games. He scored 13 goals with 21 assists in 50 games with the Gulls.

“It’s been good. It’s nicer when it’s your second or third time around,” Nesterenko said in March. “Get a little more comfortable with the pace of the game and just getting to know the guys better. It’s been fun.”

Nesterenko was shuttled between Anaheim and San Diego a handful times this season as one of the first call-ups for an extra forward. Injuries gave him the opportunity for an extended look in mid-March through the end of the season, where he was able to fully realize the lessons instilled to him through these early professional seasons.

“(I learned) that both leagues are a grind,” Nesterenko said. “My first and second year I was just trying to get used to the pro schedule, and it’s tough. You play 70-80 games. You want to manage your load too. I was kind of giving it 110% for two hours a day, and then you get to the game 50, and you’re like, shoot, I still need that juice in the third period. Just kind of managing that. Not saying you can’t go 110% every time, but just kind of picking your spots when and where.”

Neseterenko’s potential was showcased with a stretch of three goals in four games from March 16 through March 26. The 2019 sixth-round pick of Minnesota displayed his speed and tenacity that make for perfect bottom-six habits in an NHL line-up.

Both traits were evident on his goal against the Bruins on March 26, where he stripped a puck in front of the benches at center ice and took it all the way to the net for the score.

“I think he’s got elite speed,” former Ducks coach Greg Cronin said that night. “He’s got a very consistent compete level. You watch him, and he’s a gamer.”

“That goal he scored. That’s a 50-50 puck, and he strips the defender right in front of our bench and he has the courage to take it right to the net. (Jansen Harkins) was there as well, but I don’t know how many guys would have made that play to strip it, number one, and then create that breakaway gap that he did with his explosive skating and then have the courage to go to the net.”

Nesterenko will be a candidate for new coach Joel Quenneville’s opening night line-up as the Ducks continue their charge towards a fast and heavy game and playoff contention.