Nieto signs two-year contract with Avalanche

Matt Nieto signed a two-year contract with the Colorado Avalanche on Friday.
Financial terms were not disclosed.

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The 25-year-old forward scored an NHL career-high 15 goals and had 11 assists in 74 games in 2017-18, his first full season with the Avalanche. He was a restricted free agent and one of 44 NHL players to file for salary arbitration before the deadline Thursday.
"Matt brings speed and offensive depth to our lineup," Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic said. "He adds a lot of energy to our team and was a big part of our penalty kill this past season. We're excited to have him back for the next two years."

Colorado claimed Nieto off waivers from the San Jose Sharks on Jan. 5, 2017. He averaged 14:55 of ice time last season, including 2:17 per game shorthanded, third among Avalanche forwards behind Blake Comeau (2:31) and Carl Soderberg (2:25).
Selected in the second round (No. 47) of the 2011 NHL Draft by the Sharks, Nieto has 107 points (50 goals, 57 assists) in 338 games for the Sharks and Avalanche, and three goals and eight assists in 29 Stanley Cup Playoff games.