Wednesday morning the San Jose Sharks placed forward Matt Nieto on the waiver wire. Thursday, just a day after he was placed on waivers, the Colorado Avalanche claimed Nieto. Having had first pick at the waiver wire due to their current last place ranking in the National Hockey League.
UPDATE: Matt Nieto has been claimed off waivers from San Jose.
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) January 5, 2017
Nieto, aged 24, was a second round draft pick for the San Jose Sharks back in 2011. In his career with San Jose, Nieto has scored 28 goals and has added 42 assists for a total of 70 points in 221 games played. This season has been rough for Nieto however, with him playing in only 16 games for the Sharks and tallying only two assists. He was previously scratched for his last eight games with the Sharks due to lack of performance.
Colorado currently sits dead last in the NHL with a record of 12-25-1. They have struggled in just about every aspect- inconsistent scoring, faulty defense, and shaky goaltending. Nieto arrives in Colorado in a critical time. The playoffs are undoubtedly out of the picture for the Avs, but the team still has a chance to fight and win some games. As for Nieto, he will be trying to earn himself a contract before the off-season arrives, or else he may end up be signed by/traded to another team.
Nieto and the Avalanche take on the San Jose Sharks January 21. Nieto is expected to be in the lineup Friday night when the Avalanche square off against the New York Islanders.
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