The Pittsburgh Penguins are getting an edge in free agency, reportedly adding a veteran to their bottom six. winger Matt Nieto is expected to sign a two-year deal worth $900K to join the Penguins, TSN’s Darren Dreger saysWHO previously reported Nieto was going to Edmonton.
Nieto, 30, is a respected bottom-six player who split last season between the San Jose Sharks and the Colorado Avalanche. Nieto has averaged just over 14 minutes of ice time per night in his career, although he saw his ice time drop dramatically after a mid-season trade to the Avalanche. He averaged more than 15 minutes per night in San Jose, and with the Avalanche he went under 11 minutes.
A capable penalty-killer and defensive presence, Nieto notched 12 goals and 24 points in 81 games last season. While Nieto does not offer the size or extreme physicality that some teams would like to see in their bottom six forwards, there are very poor options for a team to play in their bottom six forwards.
Nieto has been on some important playoff runs, and Pittsburgh hopes to do the same next season. The off-season priority for the Penguins has been to upgrade the bottom-end of their lineup, and adding Nieto will help them do just that.