With injuries taking a toll on their roster, the Pittsburgh Penguins have recalled forward Matthew Nieto from the minor leagues under emergency conditions. As the season nears its end, the team is struggling with several key absences, including forwards Tommy Novak, Philip Tomasino, and Bokondji Imama, along with defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph. In response, the Penguins are bringing back Nieto, who will add depth to the lineup for the crucial final stretch of their season.<\/p>
Nieto’s 2023-24 campaign didn’t start as planned, as he had to recover from two knee surgeries that sidelined him for the first month of action. After easing back into competitive play with a brief stint in the AHL, he was called up to the NHL in mid-November. For a while, he remained a fixture on the Penguins’ roster, slotting in as an extra forward. However, despite appearing in 31 games before the 4-Nations Face-Off Break, his offensive production was minimal, just three points. With that level of output, Pittsburgh placed him on waivers in late February and reassigned him to the AHL, a move that ultimately turned into a silver lining for the veteran winger.<\/p>