Nieto played eight games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL) earlier this season, his first stint in the AHL in over a decade, but will return to the club after being re-assigned on Friday. The 32-year-old Nieto has two points (1G / 1A) in 31 games with Pittsburgh this season.
Nieto was placed on waivers Wednesday and went unclaimed resulting in the 32-year-old being re-assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) on Thursday. The left-winger's demotion came as little surprise as he has struggled to produce all season with just a goal, three points and 30 SOG in 31 games played.
Nieto will take a seat on Wednesday to make way for the return of Blake Lizotte (illness). Nieto has just one goal and two assists in 28 games this season.
Nieto will fill in for Kevin Hayes, who is listed as a healthy scratch on Thursday. Nieto is yet to register a point in nine games this season.
With Philip Tomasino (upper-body) poised to make his return to the lineup, Nieto could be the odd-man out as a healthy scratch. The 32-year-old Nieto is averaging 11:59 time-on-ice through nine games this season, recording zero points, a -6 plus/minus, and six hits.
Cody Glass (concussion) will return to the lineup on Friday, resulting in Nieto being a healthy scratch. The 32-year-old Nieto is averaging 11:59 time-on-ice and has zero points through nine games this season.
Blake Lizotte (concussion) will not play on Friday, allowing Nieto to draw into the lineup for his season debut. Nieto started the 2024-25 season on a conditioning loan after returning from a knee injury. He score one point (1G / 0A) in two games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, his first stop in the AHL since the 2013-14 season.
Nieto started the 2024-25 season on a conditioning loan after returning from a knee injury. He score one point (1G / 0A) in two games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, his first stop in the AHL since the 2013-14 season.
Nieto underwent knee surgery in May after the conclusion of the 2023-24 season and is nearly six months into his original six to seven month recovery timeline. 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 team.
Nieto underwent knee surgery in May after the conclusion of the 2023-24 season and is nearly five months into his original six to seven month recovery timeline. 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 team.
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.
