Pittsburgh announced Wednesday that Matt Nieto is expected to miss the next six to seven months after successfully undergoing knee surgery this week and is not expected to be ready for the start of the 2024-25 season. The 31-year-old left winger appeared in 22 games with Pittsburgh in 2023-24 and had a goal, four points, 13 SOG and a +5 plus/minus in his first season with the Penguins.
Nieto will miss approximately the next two months after undergoing successful laparoscopic surgery on his right knee. Nieto has been in and out of the lineup for the Penguins this season, scoring four points (1G / 3A) and averaging 11:37 time-on-ice through 22 games.
Nieto was traded from the San Jose Sharks to the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday in a deal involving Jacob MacDonald, and Martin Kaut going the other way and will be making his Avalanche debut Thursday. He had eight goals, seven assists, 70 SOG, and a -22 plus/minus in 45 games with the Sharks before the deal.
Nieto was dealt alongside Ryan Merkley in a deal with the Colorado Avalanche that saw Jacob MacDonald and Martin Kaut go the other way.
Nieto took a massive hit from Rasmus Dahlin in the Sharks' previous contest and will not be placed on the injured reserve with an undisclosed injury. In 28 games this season, the 10-year veteran has six goals, 11 points, and 47 SOG while averaging 15:25 TOI nightly.
Nieto is dealing with an undisclosed injury, likely stemming from Friday's game vs. the Avalanche, and will not play Sunday. Noah Gregor will draw back into the lineup to replace him.
Nieto has missed the last six games while on the COVID-19 reserve list but should be back in the lineup on Saturday. With Nieto back, Joel Kellman was reassigned to the AHL.
Nieto is day-to-day with a lower-body injury and will not play vs. Montreal. With Nieto out, look for Lane Pederson to draw back into the Sharks lineup.
Nieto will miss his sixth consecutive game on Monday and head coach Bob Boughner expects him to be out until next week. With Nieto still out, Jeffrey Viel will make his NHL debut on Monday.
Nieto has been filling in for Rudolfs Balcers on the Sharks' second line but both are questionable to play on Saturday. Antti Suomela will make his season debut regardless of whether or not Nieto plays, so someone will have to come out if he's in.
Nieto was on the ice for Tuesday's practice in a non-contact sweater and is expected to miss tonight's game vs. the Sabres. With Nieto out, Mark Barberio is expected to skate at forward on Wednesday.
Nieto was re-evaluated and the injury is worse than originally feared and will cost him at least a month and a half. Derick Brassard was acquired from the Panthers on Monday and will be a full-time replacement for Nieto in the Colorado lineup.
Nieto was forced to leave last night’s game in Chicago with a lower-body injury and is not expected to play on Saturday. Gabriel Bourque is expected to replace him and skate on the fourth line.
