by J.T. Toth
Photo courtesy of Sports Forecaster.
It took about two minutes into free agency for Kyle Dubas to strike a deal with left wing, Matthew Nieto. Nieto is the type of grinder and hard worker the Penguins will deploy on the 3rd or 4th line role and on special teams. Nieto signed a 2-year contract at $900,000 per year.
Nieto, a 30-year-old winger, is coming off a 12 goal,12 assist 2023 season playing in similar roles for the San Jose Sharks and Colorado Avalanche. Nieto is a good skater with a great work ethic who will not be counted on for scoring. A good penalty killer who is a good checker, Nieto should be a great fit on the Penguins' bottom two lines.
Matthew Nieto
Left Wing
Born Nov 5 1992 -- Long Beach, CA
Height 5.11 -- Weight 187 -- Shoots L
Selected by San Jose Sharks round 2 #47 overall 2011 NHL Entry Draft
--- Regular Season --- ---- Playoffs ----
Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
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2013-14 San Jose Sharks NHL 66 10 14 24 16 7 2 3 5 0
2014-15 San Jose Sharks NHL 72 10 17 27 20 -- -- -- -- --
2015-16 San Jose Sharks NHL 67 8 9 17 10 16 1 2 3 8
2016-17 San Jose Sharks NHL 16 0 2 2 4 -- -- -- -- --
2016-17 Colorado Avalanche NHL 43 7 4 11 4 -- -- -- -- --
2017-18 Colorado Avalanche NHL 74 15 11 26 14 6 0 3 3 2
2018-19 Colorado Avalanche NHL 64 4 19 23 8 12 4 3 7 2
2019-20 Colorado Avalanche NHL 70 8 13 21 6 14 1 2 3 4
2020-21 San Jose Sharks NHL 28 5 2 7 4 -- -- -- -- --
2021-22 San Jose Sharks NHL 70 6 11 17 19 -- -- -- -- --
2022-23 San Jose Sharks NHL 45 8 7 15 8 -- -- -- -- --
2022-23 Colorado Avalanche NHL 36 4 5 9 8 7 0 0 0 2
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NHL Totals 651 85 114 199 121 62 8 13 21 18