Nieves played in Columbus last night but returns to the AHL today because Greg McKegg is set to return vs. the Canadiens. Nieves has one goal and seven assists in 20 AHL games this season.
Nieves played in three straight games but will be a healthy scratch in New Jersey on Saturday afternoon. Michael Haley will replace Nieves on the Rangers fourth line.
With Greg McKegg sidelined with a lower-body issue, Nieves was recalled from Hartford and will skate on the fourth line on Monday. Nieves has 19 points (5G / 14A) in 72 career NHL games with the Rangers.
Nieves has recorded one goal and seven assists (eight points) in 20 AHL games this season, earning his first call-up of 2019-20. He will replace Tim Gettinger on the roster and will likely replace Michael Haley in the lineup on Monday.
Nieves has split his time between the AHL and NHL for the last two seasons, scoring seven points (2G / 5A) in 16 games with the Rangers. Look for him to centre their fourth line with Cody McLeod and Pavel Buchnevich on Tuesday.
Nieves has not played this season because of a concussion but will go to Hartford to get back to game speed. Nieves had 21 points (8G / 13A) in 40 games with the Wolf Pack last year.
Nieves failed to record a point in his last four games and had nine points (1G / 8A) and plus-6 rating in 28 games during his time with the Rangers. Peter Holland will take his spot on the roster as Nieves returns to Hartford, where he has two goal and one assist in seven games.
Nieves left Friday’s game vs. the Red Wings with a lower-body injury and will be kept out of the lineup vs. the Canucks despite taking the ice for Saturday’s practice. Nieves is day-to-day and will be replaced by David Desharnais today.
Nieves left yesterday’s game 2:53 into the second period and never returned to the bench. Nieves had been carving out a nice depth role for himself recently, but it looks like he could come out of the lineup for Sunday’s contest vs. the Rangers.
For a period of time during training camp it looked like Nieves would crack the Rangers opening night roster. 2017 first-round pick Filip Chytil has beat Nieves out, so the 23-year-old will start the year in the AHL, where he had 18 points (6G / 12A) in 40 games last year.
