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Matthew Nieto News
The Avalanche signed Matt Nieto to a two-year extension worth $3.95M ($1.975M AAV).

Nieto set a career-high with 15 goals while adding 11 assists (26 points) in 75 games with the Avalanche last season. The former second-round pick, who was a huge offensive producer at Boston University, has not been able to find the same success in the NHL. Regardless of his lack of offence, Nieto is a great skater with a strong two-way game and has found a home on a bottom-6 line with Carl Soderberg.

Matthew Nieto
The Sharks inked Matt Nieto to a one-year deal on Monday.

Nieto, 23, is a former second-round pick, who already has 205 career NHL games under his belt. He was a great scorer during his time with the U.S. development team and at Boston University, but hasn’t been given the high-end minutes in San Jose that he needs to produce fantasy relevant numbers. Nieto has just 68 career points (28G / 40A).

Matthew Nieto
Nieto (lower-body) will not play Friday.

Nieto suffered an apparent left foot injury blocking a shot late in the second period against the Stars, so John McCarthy has been recalled from Worcester and will play. With Nieto out, Marty Havlat will likely play in a top six role, although it’s uncertain just how the top two lines will be constructed.

Matthew Nieto
Matt Nieto and Freddie Hamilton have been recalled from Worcester, while tough guy Matt Pelech was reassigned to the team’s AHL affiliate.

Nieto made the opening night roster and tallied two goals and four assists in 19 games as a rookie. He was reassigned to Worcester on November 26, and on Friday night against Portland, had two goals and three assists in an 8-2 Worcester win. It was one of just two games he played for the minor league Sharks.

Matthew Nieto