The Pittsburgh Penguins are entering a significant off-season as they look to get things back on track after another rough season. The Penguins have multiple pending free agents, so they will have some decisions to make with their group.
Because of this, let's look at two pending free agents who the Penguins likely will move on from this summer.
Matt Nieto
It would not be particularly surprising if Matt Nieto's time with the Penguins comes to an end this summer. The pending unrestricted free agent dropped down the Penguins' depth chart this season and was notably waived and sent down to the AHL in February. With this, it seems quite possible that the Penguins will move on from the veteran forward this summer.
Nieto appeared in 32 games this season with Pittsburgh, posting one goal, two assists, and a minus-8 rating. In 15 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the 32-year-old had three goals. seven points, and a plus-2 rating.
Overall, it was a tough year for the 2011 second-round pick, but he could generate interest this summer if a team is looking to add an experienced depth forward.
Joona Koppanen
Joona Koppanen is another player who the Penguins could part ways with this summer. The 27-year-old forward is a pending unrestricted free agent, and there is just not enough room on the Penguins' roster for him to have a full-time spot in their bottom six.
Koppanen spent the majority of this season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, posting eight goals, 23 points, and a plus-5 rating. He also scored one goal and threw 40 hits in 11 games with Pittsburgh this season.
