SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The San Jose Sharks have signed forward Matt Nieto to a one-year contract.
The 23-year-old Nieto was a restricted free agent, whose rights were retained by the Sharks last month. He had eight goals and nine assists in 67 games while also playing a penalty-killing role last season.
In announcing the signing Monday, general manager Doug Wilson credited Nieto's speed and the role he played in helping the Sharks' make their first Stanley Cup Final appearance last month.
Nieto had a goal and two assists in 16 playoff games, while missing eight with an upper body injury.
From Long Beach, California, Nieto was selected by San Jose in the second round of the 2011 draft. Overall, he has 28 goals and 40 assists in 205 NHL career games.