SAN JOSE – Sharks forward Matt Nieto was waived on Wednesday morning, likely bringing to and end his career with San Jose.
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."
The Sharks fully expect the former second round pick in 2011 (47th overall) to get claimed by another NHL club by Thursday's 9 a.m. PT deadline.
The 24-year-old has played in just three of the last 16 games, including sitting as a healthy scratch for the last eight. He has two assists in 16 games, and 70 points (28g, 42a) in 221 career NHL games, all with San Jose.
Nieto became expendable primarily due to the emergence of other young players in the system, including forwards Kevin Labanc and Timo Meier.
