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San Jose Sharks: Time Is Now For Nieto To Make An Impact

By Patrick Leiva |
Apr 22, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks left wing Matt Nieto (83) reacts during game five of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. The Sharks defeated the Kings 6-3 to win the series 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks left wing Matt Nieto (83) reacts during game five of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. The Sharks defeated the Kings 6-3 to win the series 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

After featuring for San Jose the past three seasons, Matt Nieto has much to prove to remain in teal past next year.

The San Jose Sharks and general manager Doug Wilson concluded their summer activity when the team announced yesterday that they had re-signed forward Matt Nieto to a one-year deal.

With Nieto back in the fold for next season, team teal is all but done in formulating their roster as they look to get back to the Stanley Cup Final.

For the 23-year-old Nieto, this will be his last chance to prove that he should remain in the long-term plans for San Jose moving forward.

In his three seasons in teal, the former second-round pick back in 2011 hasn’t shown much growth or development. Factor that in with a plethora of young forwards itching to make an impact and this will be a make or break campaign for the Long Beach native.

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Coming off a career-high 27-point season back in 2014-15, Nieto really struggled to make an impact for the Sharks last year. He finished the season with just 17 points (eight goals, nine assists) in 67 games.

Those are very unimpressive numbers considering San Jose had one of the best offenses in the entire league last year.

The problem for Nieto has been his finishing as he’s never scored more than 10 goals in any of his three seasons to date.

While he does add a dynamic speed element to the Sharks lineup, it isn’t translating to points on the scoreboard for team teal.

Now, Nieto is someone Peter DeBoer relies upon in penalty killing situations where he is an effective resource. But at some point, there has to be more to his game in order for him to hang around in San Jose beyond next season.

He’s posted 68 points in his three seasons with the Sharks, but, with youngsters such as Nikolay Goldobin, Timo Meier, Barclay Goodrow and Marcus Sorensen looking to make an impression, Nieto will be in a battle to hold on to his roster spot this year.

Next: Sorensen Hopes To Follow Donskoi And Karlsson

With San Jose possessing a ton of wingers with the signing of Mikkel Boedker this offseason, Nieto will have to earn every second of ice time this year. His speed will continue to be an asset for this Sharks group, but with him inking just a one-year deal, it’s going to be a prove-it year for Nieto.

If he performs, he could earn himself a longer-term contract next summer. If not, then Nieto will likely be looking for work somewhere other than San Jose.

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