Nieto Claimed by Colorado After Sharks Put Him on Waivers

Matt Nieto has been claimed by the Colorado Avalanche, after he was placed on waivers by the Sharks on Wednesday.

TVA Sports' Renaud Lavoie originally reported the news, which was later confirmed by the Sharks.

The Sharks expected Nieto to be claimed by another club. Colorado would have had first choice, sitting in last place in the overall NHL standings with just a 12-25-1 record.

On Wednesday, general manager Doug Wilson said: "Matt deserves the opportunity to play in the league, and we're happy to work with him and his agent to make this a possibility."

Nieto, 24, had been a healthy scratch for the Sharks in the last eight games, and played in just three of the last 16 overall. He recorded two assists in 16 games, and had 70 points (28g, 42a) in 221 career games, all with San Jose.

A second round pick of the Sharks in 2011, Nieto, a Long Beach native, signed a one-year, $735,000 contract with the Sharks in the offseason. He is a pending restricted free agent.