Nieto (knee) sustained an undisclosed injury while rehabbing from his knee surgery. The center could find himself heading back under the knife ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Nieto was limited to a mere 22 appearances this season in which he tallied a meager five points. At this point, there seems to be some concern that Nieto won't be fully healthy in time for the start of next season.

Nieto (knee) was unable to get back onto the ice for the Penguins this season, missing 60 games total.

EDGE Analysis

Nieto's status was never really updated by the Penguins but it seems almost certain that he suffered a setback at some point considering the team previously said he was out 6-8 weeks at the start of January. Before getting hurt, the 31-year-old California native managed just one goal and three assists in 22 games. Even if Nieto is available for the start of the 2024-25 campaign, he figures to be a long shot for anything more than a bottom-six role.

Nieto underwent successful laparoscopic surgery Thursday and is expected to miss the next 6-8 weeks.

EDGE Analysis

Nieto was injured Nov. 30 in Tampa Bay and has missed the last 14 games. He has a goal and four points in 22 games this season in a bottom-six role.

Nieto (lower body) was moved to long-term injured reserve Tuesday, per CapFriendly.

EDGE Analysis

Nieto is eligible to be activated whenever he is ready, but coach Mike Sullivan said Tuesday that the Pittsburgh forward is still facing an extended absence. Nieto, who hasn't played since Nov. 30, has chipped in four points, 13 shots on goal, nine blocked shots and 12 hits over 22 outings this season.

Nieto (lower body) is still considered out "longer-term" according to coach Mike Sullivan, Penguins play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff reports Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Nieto returned to skating Dec. 22 but has yet to practice with the team and should probably be considered out indefinitely at this point. Given the amount of time he has already missed, 13 games dating back to Nov. 30, Nieto could be headed for long-term injured reserve when the Penguins activated Bryan Rust (upper body) off injured reserve.

Nieto (lower body) skated for the first time since suffering his injury Friday, Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Nieto's return to the ice is certainly a step in the right direction but the fact that he has yet to practice with the team all but rules him out versus the Senators on Saturday. Still, with some extra time off due to the Christmas break, Nieto may be healthy enough to play when the Penguins return to action versus the Islanders on Wednesday.

Nieto (lower body) was placed on injured reserve Sunday, per CapFriendly.

EDGE Analysis

Nieto, who didn't play in Saturday's 4-3 shootout loss to Philadelphia, will miss at least two more games following his placement on IR. He has generated one goal, three assists, 13 shots on net and 12 hits in 22 outings this season.

Nieto will miss Saturday's tilt versus Philadelphia with a lower-body injury, according to Penguins reporter Michelle Crechiolo.

EDGE Analysis

Nieto suffered the injury in Tampa Bay on Thursday. He has averaged only 11:37 of action this season over 22 games, scoring once and adding three assists. Consider him day-to-day at this time.

Nieto recorded an assist in Thursday's 4-2 win over Tampa Bay.

EDGE Analysis

Nieto remains mired in a 12-game goalless streak but has been starting to add some offensive production with three helpers in his last six outings. If he can get over the 20-point mark for the second consecutive season, the Penguins will no doubt be satisfied with his production as a fourth-line player.

Nieto scored a goal and went plus-2 in Saturday's 10-2 win over the Sharks.

EDGE Analysis

Nieto put the Penguins ahead 7-1 with his second-period tally against one of his former teams. The goal was the 30-year-old's first point in 10 contests this season. Nieto has added seven shots on net, eight hits, six blocked shouts, four PIM and a plus-1 rating. The California native is unlikely to see much more than a fourth-line role when the Penguins are healthy.