Young Talent to Determine San Jose Sharks Season

Matt Nieto (22), LW

Mar 29, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; San Jose Sharks left wing Matt Nieto (83) defends against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Nieto was taken in the second round of the 2011 NHL Draft by the San Jose Sharks and has totaled 20 goals and 31 assists in 138 games in his first two NHL seasons. Nieto should slot in at LW on the third line for the Sharks with Chris Tierney and new-comer Joel Ward. The experience that Nieto has gained over the course of the past two years has him poised for potential 15-to-18 goal season this year. Fun fact: According to Nieto’s biography on the Sharks’ website if he wasn’t a hockey player he would be a rapper. One can only dream.

Hockey’s Future breaks down Nieto’s skill set as follows: “Nieto plays a fundamentally sound game. He has very quick four-step acceleration and uses his explosive speed to force the oppositions’ defensemen to be cautious when defending against him. He carries the puck well during rushes, and delivers a surprisingly good pass from his top speeds.”

Next: Chris Tierney