Matt Nieto - NHL News & Rumors

Gets first goal of season Nieto scored a goal and went plus-2 in Thursday's 9-2 win over the Canadiens.

Impact Nieto had been scratched for the previous three games. He opened the season scoreless over nine outings before breaking through in Game No. 10 with his first tally of the season. The 32-year-old is mostly a defensive forward and figures to spend the bulk of his playing time on the fourth line. He has added 10 shots on net, seven hits, seven blocked shots and a minus-4 rating this season.

DECEMBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Ready to play Friday Nieto (knee) was taken off injured reserve and will be in action against the Blue Jackets on Friday.

Impact Nieto will play in an NHL game for the first time in nearly a year, having last suited up versus the Lightning on Nov. 30, 2023. The winger has never reached the 30-point threshold in his career but should still be capable of putting up 20-plus points in a bottom-six role now that his knee injury is finally behind him. Once Kevin Hayes (upper body) and Cody Glass (concussion) are cleared to play, minutes could be harder to come by for Nieto, though he should be in the lineup more often than not.

NOVEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Back from conditioning stint Nieto (knee) was recalled from his conditioning assignment Thursday.

Impact Nieto remains on injured reserve but could be trending in the right direction toward a return to action versus the Blue Jackets on Friday. During his two-game stint in the minors, the forward recorded one goal and a plus-2 rating for the Baby Pens. Once given the all-clear, Nieto should be in the mix for a bottom-six role, which could relegate Jesse Puljujarvi or Valtteri Puustinen to a spot in the press box.

NOVEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Starting conditioning assignment Nieto (knee) was sent to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on a conditioning loan Saturday.

Impact It's a significant step for Nieto in his return following offseason knee surgery. The veteran winger played 22 games with the Penguins last year, logging one goal and four points.

NOVEMBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared for contact Nieto (knee) was a full-contact participant at practice Monday, Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Nieto has been skating with the team for a while but appears to have upped his participation level Monday. Given the long-term nature of the 31-year-old forward's knee injury, he probably shouldn't be expected to immediately jump into the lineup versus the Islanders on Tuesday. Once given the all-clear, Nieto will have to be activated off long-term injured reserve, a move that will likely send Valtteri Puustinen down to the minors.

NOVEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Is month-to-month Nieto (knee) is considered to be month-to-month, per Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Wednesday.

Impact Nieto is likely to begin the season on the long-term injured reserve list but that hasn't officially happened yet. He had a goal and four points in 22 contests with the Penguins in 2023-24. When he's healthy, Nieto will probably serve in a bottom-six capacity.

SEPTEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Has knee surgery Nieto underwent reconstructive MCL surgery on his left knee surgery May 2, the team announced Wednesday. He's expected to require six-to-seven months to recover.

Impact Nieto last played Nov. 30, 2023 and underwent laparoscopic surgery on his right knee back in January. His new timetable suggests that he won't return until November at the earliest. Nieto should be in the mix for a bottom-six role once he's healthy.

MAY 15 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers secondary injury Nieto (knee) sustained an undisclosed injury while rehabbing from his knee surgery. The center could find himself heading back under the knife ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, Seth R...

Impact Nieto was limited to a mere 22 appearances this season in which he tallied a meager five points. At this point, there seems to be some concern that Nieto won't be fully healthy in time for next season given the numerous surgeries which will impact his offseason program.

APRIL 19 • ROTOWIRE

Ends season on shelf Nieto (knee) was unable to get back onto the ice for the Penguins this season, missing 60 games total.

Impact Nieto's status was never really updated by the Penguins but it seems almost certain that he suffered a setback at some point considering the team previously said he was out 6-8 weeks at the start of January. Before getting hurt, the 31-year-old California native managed just one goal and three assists in 22 games. Even if Nieto is available for the start of the 2024-25 campaign, he figures to be a long shot for anything more than a bottom-six role.

APRIL 18 • ROTOWIRE

Penguins F Matt Nieto recovering from knee surgery Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matt Nieto underwent successful laparoscopic surgery to his right knee, the team announced Thursday.Head team ph...

JANUARY 4 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Penguins Forward Matt Nieto Undergoes Successful Knee Surgery | Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matt Nieto underwent successful laparoscopic surgery to his right knee, it was announced by President of Hockey...

JANUARY 4 • NHL.COM

Out 6-8 weeks Nieto underwent successful laparoscopic surgery Thursday and is expected to miss the next 6-8 weeks.

Impact Nieto was injured Nov. 30 in Tampa Bay and has missed the last 14 games. He has a goal and four points in 22 games this season in a bottom-six role.

JANUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Shifts to LTIR Nieto (lower body) was moved to long-term injured reserve Tuesday, per CapFriendly.

Impact Nieto is eligible to be activated whenever he is ready, but coach Mike Sullivan said Tuesday that the Pittsburgh forward is still facing an extended absence. Nieto, who hasn't played since Nov. 30, has chipped in four points, 13 shots on goal, nine blocked shots and 12 hits over 22 outings this season.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Return not imminent Nieto (lower body) is still considered out "longer-term" according to coach Mike Sullivan, Penguins play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff reports Tuesday.

Impact Nieto returned to skating Dec. 22 but has yet to practice with the team but should probably be considered out indefinitely at this point. Given the amount of time he has already missed, 13 games dating back to Nov. 30, Nieto could be headed for long-term injured reserve when the Penguins activated Bryan Rust (upper body) off injured reserve.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Skating Friday Nieto (lower body) skated for the first time Friday, Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Nieto's return to the ice is certainly a step in the right direction but the fact that he has yet to practice with the team all but rules him out versus the Senators on Saturday. Still, with some extra time off due to the Christmas break, Nieto may be healthy enough to play when the Penguins return to action versus the Islanders on Wednesday.

DECEMBER 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Moves to IR Nieto (lower body) was placed on injured reserve Sunday, per CapFriendly.

Impact Nieto, who didn't play in Saturday's 4-3 shootout loss to Philadelphia, will miss at least two more games following his placement on IR. He has generated one goal, three assists, 13 shots on net and 12 hits in 22 outings this season.

DECEMBER 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not playing Saturday Nieto will miss Saturday's tilt versus Philadelphia with a lower-body injury, according to Penguins reporter Michelle Crechiolo.

Impact Nieto suffered the injury in Tampa Bay on Thursday. He has averaged only 11:37 of action this season over 22 games, scoring once and adding three assists. Consider him day-to-day at this time.

DECEMBER 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up assist Thursday Nieto recorded an assist in Thursday's 4-2 win over Tampa Bay.

Impact Nieto remains mired in a 12-game goalless streak but has been starting to add some offensive production with three helpers in his last six outings. If he can get over the 20-point mark for the second consecutive season, the Penguins will no doubt be satisfied with his production as a fourth-line player.

DECEMBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

GAME RECAP: Penguins at Sabres (11.24.23) | Taking on the Sabres

NOVEMBER 25, 2023 • YOUTUBE

Nets goal Saturday Nieto scored a goal and went plus-2 in Saturday's 10-2 win over the Sharks.

Impact Nieto put the Penguins ahead 7-1 with his second-period tally against one of his former teams. The goal was the 30-year-old's first point in 10 contests this season. Nieto has added seven shots on net, eight hits, six blocked shouts, four PIM and a plus-1 rating. The California native is unlikely to see much more than a fourth-line role when the Penguins are healthy.

NOVEMBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

How Matt Nieto, an NHL rarity, made it from Long Beach to the Penguins You might not guess it watching Matt Nieto speed in on the forecheck. But his first time on the ice, as a curious kid from California, was q...

OCTOBER 20, 2023 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Penguins Happy to Have Matt Nieto On Board | NHL.com Kyle Dubas was particularly thrilled when the Penguins signed Matt Nieto to a two-year contract after free agency opened. Because as Pittsbu...

SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 • NHL.COM

What's the 'Scoop' with Matt Nieto | NHL.com Pittsburgh feels like a great fit for [Matt Nieto ](https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/pittsburgh-penguins-matt-nieto/c-345686264) for a numb...

SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 • NHL.COM

Penguins open NHL free agency by signing depth forward Matt Nieto The Penguins moved swiftly in NHL free agency to sign depth forward Matt Nieto, locking him in with a two-year deal shortly after noon on Sa...

JULY 1, 2023 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Grabs two-year pact Nieto penned a two-year, $1.8 million contract with the Penguins on Saturday, Darren Dreger of TSN reports.

Impact Nieto logged a combined 81 games for the Sharks and Avs last season in which he tallied 12 goals, 12 assists and 115 shots while averaging 13:31 of ice time. The winger figures to bolster a bottom-six that underwhelmed during the previous campaign while also adding some grit to the Pens' lineup.

JULY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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