The Colorado Avalanche have re-signed forward Matt Nieto to a one-year deal worth $1 Million. Matt Nieto played 43 games for the Avalanche last season. He put up seven goals and four assists for 11 points with four penalty minutes. He was claimed off of waivers from the San Jose Sharks after just 16 games in 2016-17 with the club where he only put up two assists. The deal comes before the two sides went to an arbitration hearing.
Prior to the deal, Nieto spent a total of three seasons in San Jose and in doing so he scored 28 goals and 40 assists for 68 points in 205 games. Matt also played in just 13 AHL games with the Worcester Sharks in 2012-13 and 2013-14 posting four goals and seven assists for 11 points.
We have re-signed Matt Nieto to a one-year contract!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/p4pA7SXDS3
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) July 25, 2017
Colorado Avalanche Re-Sign Forward Matt Nieto
Nieto also had some International success winning U-18 World Junior Championship Gold Medals in 2009 and 2010. The former second round pick (47th overall) from the 2011 draft will see bottom six minutes again like he did last season under the Avalanche. The team continues their rebuild process. He’s a solid fore-checker who helps Colorado’s penalty kill.
The Avalanche skipped the uncertainty of the arbitration system by signing the 25-year-old forward to a one-year contract. Both parties win by settling for just $1 million.
Another bonus of this deal is that he will bring a low cap hit to the team if they wish to add bigger pieces down the road. However, if they do place him on waivers he could easily be claimed for that price rather than reporting to San Antonio of the AHL. Either way though, it’s a solid deal for both parties and good to see them not settle in arbitration.
Main Photo:
Caption: Matt Nieto skates against the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center on February 12, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Islanders defeated the Avalanche 5-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images Sport)
