The Avalanche, mired in a five-game losing streak and a 10-game home winless streak, Thursday said it had claimed winger Matt Nieto on waivers from the San Jose Sharks.
Nieto, 24, had no goals and two assists in 16 games with the Sharks this season and often was a healthy scratch before he was placed on waivers Wednesday.
At the time, Sharks general manager Doug Wilson told reporters, “It gives him the opportunity to play in the league that he deserves.”
A Long Beach, Calif., native, Nieto played for the U.S. National Under-18 team before a three-season stay at Boston University.