Penguins' Matt Nieto rejoins team at practice, closes in on 11-month recovery from 2 knee surgeries

Matt Nieto appeared in a good mood following the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Monday practice session and given he participated in a full-go capacity, he had good reason.

Nieto saw his debut 2023-24 campaign with the Penguins derailed early because of a right knee injury that ultimately required laparoscopic surgery, with his last appearance coming Nov. 30.

From there, he suffered a significant setback during rehab, which led to surgery to repair his left MCL in May.

Nieto thus began this season on long-term injured reserve, but having practiced Monday, a demanding 11-month recovery appears close to being over.

“It’s not easy when you’re not playing and kind of on a different schedule from the guys — you don’t feel part of the team in a way,” Nieto said Monday in Cranberry. “So, yeah, just extremely tough and difficult. But, everyone here’s been awesome with me, the staff, the guys. Yeah, put a lot of work in this summer to be in this position. Just happy to be back out there.”

Coach Mike Sullivan did not say whether Nieto, who scored a goal with three assists in 22 games last year, would be available Tuesday vs. the Minnesota Wild.

Nieto himself alluded to continuing along in the process of returning to action.

“I’m happy to be back skating now, happy to be back with the team,” he said. “Kind of at the next step in the process here, but excited to keep progressing.”

Offering an additional clue to Nieto’s status was him skating on a reserve fourth defensive pairing Monday along with Ryan Shea.

While the Penguins still have a morning skate Tuesday ahead of puck drop vs. Minnesota, players comprising a fourth defensive pairing are more often than not healthy scratches for upcoming games.

Still, for Nieto, who is in the final season of a two-year deal worth $900,000 annually, being on the verge of game readiness is an accomplishment worth appreciating.

“I think for a while now, I’ve been skating on my own,” he said. “So, it hasn’t been as fun as being out there with the guys. It’s been an exciting day, and I’m happy with where I’m at right now.”

Notes: Per Sullivan, forward Bryan Rust, who is being evaluated for an injury after leaving Saturday’s game vs. the Vancouver Canucks, did not practice Monday but was in attendance in gym clothes. Fellow forward Blake Lizotte (concussion) practiced in a non-contact fashion while forward Vasily Ponomarev skated individually ahead of Monday’s organized session.