Pittsburgh Penguins
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Nick Horwat·Dec 22, 2023·Partner

Matt Nieto Resumes Skating Before Penguins Practice

The Pittsburgh Penguins are slowly seeing their injured lineup return to health.

The Pittsburgh Penguins could be seeing the beginning of a solid second-line forming with Evgeni Malkin, Reilly Smith, and Valtteri Puustinen.

The Pittsburgh Penguins recently dealt with a handful on injuries to key players, but are slowly starting to work their way back to health as the holiday break approaches.

Currently out of the Penguins’ lineup with their own injuries are Bryan Rust, Matt Nieto, and technically Jesse Puljujarvi.

While Puljujarvi doesn’t have a full contract, he is still working his way back from double hip surgery over summer.

According to head coach Mike Sullivan, forward Matt Nieto resumed skating on his own prior to the start of Penguins practice.

Nieto has been dealing with an undisclosed injury and has been out of the lineup since November 30 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

There is still no timetable in place for Nieto’s return to the lineup but is only listed on regular injured reserve rather than long-term.

Rust and Puljujarvi also skated ahead of Penguins practice; Rust is on LTIR and cannot return until at least January 2.

Puljujarvi is past the 10 day mark for his expenses being covered by the Penguins as they still work on getting him up to speed.

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