Avalanche acquire Matt Nieto, Ryan Merkley from Sharks for Jacob MacDonald, Martin Kaut

today

The Sharks traded forward Matt Nieto and defenseman Ryan Merkley to the Avalanche in exchange for defenseman Jacob MacDonald and forward Martin Kaut, San Jose general manager Mike Grier announced Wednesday. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Nieto, 30, joined the Sharks prior to the 2020-21 season and recorded 109 points (47 goals and 62 assists) in 364 games with the team.
  • Merkley, 22, appeared in 39 games for San Jose during the 2021-22 season, notching six points (one goal and five assists). He’s recorded 14 assists through 30 games with the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda this season.
  • MacDonald, 29, posted 12 points (two goals and 10 assists) through 76 games with Florida and Colorado.
  • Kaut, 23, notched three points (one goal and two assists) in 27 NHL games and eight points (five goals and three assists) in 10 AHL appearances with the Colorado Eagles this season.

The Athletic’s instant analysis:

What the Sharks gain with Kaut, MacDonald

This marks the end of Kaut’s Colorado tenure. The 2018 first-round pick never reached the level he and Colorado hoped with the Avalanche, playing in only 47 games. Perhaps a change of scenery will serve him well. MacDonald, primarily a defenseman, is an NHL-AHL tweener who has offensive instincts. — Baugh

Advertisement

How Nieto, Merkley bolster the Avalanche

Nieto brings Colorado a depth forward with whom they are familiar. He played 251 games for the Avalanche and brings depth scoring. Merkley, meanwhile, is fourth on Scott Wheeler’s rankings of Sharks prospects. — Baugh

What they’re saying

“Jacob is a versatile veteran player who has been an All-Star at the American Hockey League level and will add depth to our NHL line-up,” Grier said in a statement Wednesday.

Grier added: “Martin is a former first round pick who bolsters our group of young developing forwards at the American Hockey League level.”

Required reading

(Photo: Brandon Magnus / NHLI via Getty Images)

ncG1vNJzZmismJqutbTLnquim16YvK57k2ppb25hZ3xzfJFsZmlpX2eCcL%2FHmqmkq12pv6KwxGaYr5mclruktMRmpJqblKS7orjDZqWinaSkfA%3D%3D