NICO STURM NEWS

Lends assist in overtime loss Sturm posted an assist, two hits and two blocked shots in Saturday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Blackhawks.

Impact Sturm snapped an eight-game point drought with his helper on a Thomas Bordeleau tally in the first period. The 28-year-old Sturm is up to 12 points, 59 shots on net, 62 hits, 34 blocked shots and a minus-19 rating through 52 appearances this season. He continues to maintain a middle-six role, but as a more defensive center, Sturm has little fantasy upside in a weak offense.

MARCH 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Logs helper Tuesday Sturm provided an assist in Tuesday's 7-6 overtime loss to the Stars.

Impact Sturm has two goals and an assist over his last five games, representing solid production for a middle-six forward in a weak offense. The 28-year-old is centering the Sharks' third line in recent games while playing a more defensive role. He's at 11 points, 41 shots on net, 47 hits and a minus-11 rating through 42 appearances this season, so he doesn't need to be tracked closely in fantasy.

MARCH 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Scores in blowout loss Sturm scored a goal in Tuesday's 7-2 loss to the Devils.

Impact Sturm snapped an eight-game goal drought with the opening tally Tuesday. The Sharks proceeded to surrender the next seven goals before getting one late in the third period from Justin Bailey. Sturm has filled in as the third-line center lately with the Sharks' depth down the middle tested by injuries. He's at four goals, five assists, 39 shots on net, 39 hits and a minus-9 rating through 38 appearances this season.

FEBRUARY 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Offers helper in win Sturm notched an assist and two hits in Thursday's 6-3 win over the Flames.

Impact Sturm was okay to play Thursday after leaving Wednesday's game versus the Jets with a head injury. The 28-year-old center snapped his four-game slump with the helper on the first of Filip Zadina's two goals in the third period. Sturm has mainly filled a middle-six role this year, picking up eight points, 35 shots on net, 31 hits, 23 blocked shots and a minus-8 rating through 34 outings.

FEBRUARY 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sustains injury Wednesday Sturm (head) sustained an injury after taking a hit from Logan Stanley in Wednesday's game versus the Jets, Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Impact There was no update on Sturm after the game, but he was pointing to his head as he left the ice following the hit. The 28-year-old has seven points through 33 outings this season, so he's not a player fantasy managers will need to keep tabs on. If Sturm can't play Thursday versus the Flames, Kevin Labanc may enter the lineup.

FEBRUARY 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Capitalizes on turnover Sturm scored a goal in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime win over the Rangers.

Impact Sturm has a goal and two assists over three games since he returned from an abdominal injury. The 28-year-old picked off a pass and banked in his shot from behind the net to get the Sharks on the board in the third period Tuesday. Sturm plays in a bottom-six role, so his offense is likely to recede eventually. For the season, he has seven points, 31 shots on net, 16 hits, 22 blocked shots and a minus-8 rating through 29 appearances.

JANUARY 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Playing against Ducks Sturm (abdomen) will be activated off injured reserve ahead of Saturday's matchup with Anaheim, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports.

Impact Sturm has been on the shelf since Dec. 12 against the Jets, a stretch of 16 games on the sidelines due to his abdominal injury. With Logan Couture (lower body) making his season debut as well, the Sharks suddenly find themselves with some center depth. As such, Sturm figures to slide into a third-line role behind Couture and Tomas Hertl.

JANUARY 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

On track to return Sturm (abdomen) is on track to return Saturday against Anaheim, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports.

Impact Sturm will need to be activated off injured reserve before returning, but it looks like that shoud happen prior to Saturday's contest. The 28-year-old forward has collected just four points through 26 contests this season, so his return to action won't make waves in fantasy circles.

JANUARY 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Deemed week-to-week Sturm (middle body) is considered week-to-week, per Ryan Boulding of NHL.com.

Impact Sturm was placed on injured reserve Friday after suffering a mid-body injury in Tuesday's 2-1 win over Winnipeg. He has collected two goals, two assists, 30 shots on net and 21 blocked shots over 26 contests this campaign. Jack Studnicka, who was acquired from Vancouver on Friday, will make his San Jose debut in Sunday's contest versus Colorado.

DECEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lands on IR Sturm (abdomen) was placed on injured reserve Friday, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports.

Impact Sturm was already expected to miss the next two games but will now miss at least a week of action. The 28-year-old was injured Tuesday against Winnipeg. The newly-acquired Jack Studnicka could be promoted to replace Sturm on the NHL roster.

DECEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Likely to miss road trip Sturm (middle body) is expected to miss the Sharks' next two games, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports.

Impact Sturm suffered the injury Tuesday and appears likely to be out Friday versus the Coyotes and Sunday versus the Avalanche at a minimum. Givani Smith figures to enter the lineup in a fourth-line role while Sturm is sidelined, though Ryan Carpenter (undisclosed) could also be an option once he's activated from injured reserve.

DECEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Being evaluated Sturm, who suffered what coach David Quinn termed a "mid-body" injury Tuesday, is being evaluated Wednesday, according to Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News.

Impact Pashelka believes Sturm is likely to miss some time, but more information should be available Thursday. He has two goals and four points in 26 contests this season. Givani Smith might draw into the lineup Friday versus Arizona if Sturm can't play.

DECEMBER 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Departs in third period Sturm sustained what head coach David Quinn described as a "mid-body" injury in the third period of Tuesday's game versus the Jets, Max Miller of The Hockey News reports.

Impact Sturm's injury will once again test the Sharks already shaky center depth. The forward's timeline to return is unclear pending further evaluation. If Sturm misses Friday's game in Arizona, Luke Kunin could move up to center the third line after returning from an injury as a winger Tuesday.

DECEMBER 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go Sturm (lower body) will return to the lineup Tuesday against the Islanders, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports.

Impact Sturm will be back in the fold after missing Sunday's 6-5 loss to the Rangers. He has contributed two assists, 22 shots on goal, 21 blocked shots and 12 hits in 22 appearances this season. Sturm is slated to center the third line in Tuesday's contest.

DECEMBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Sunday Sturm (lower body) won't play Sunday against the Rangers.

Impact Sturm will be replaced in the lineup by Alexander Barabanov, who will return from a broken finger. Sturm has picked up two assists, 22 shots on goal, 21 blocked shots and 12 hits in 22 appearances this season.

DECEMBER 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Good to return Friday Sturm, who was on the non-roster injured reserve list for personal reasons, is back with the Sharks and expected to draw into the lineup Friday versus Montreal, per Sheng Peng of S...

Impact Sturm missed the Sharks' previous two games. He has two assists, a minus-12 rating, eight hits and 14 blocks in 17 contests this season. With Sturm available Friday, Nikolai Knyzhov might be a healthy scratch.

NOVEMBER 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Stepping away from team Sturm will miss the next two games as he takes a personal leave of absence, the Sharks announced Friday.

Impact Sturm will not be an option for the team's two-game road trip in which it faces Vancouver and Seattle on Monday and Wednesday, respectively. In his stead, Kevin Labanc should return to the lineup while Ryan Carpenter and Luke Kunin figure to be in contention for a third-line role.

NOVEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Offers helper in win Sturm notched an assist and two PIM in Thursday's 3-2 win over the Oilers.

Impact Sturm earned his first point of the campaign, setting up a Filip Zadina tally in the third period. A defensive forward, Sturm has had it tough in the Sharks' low-scoring and shaky lineup. He's picked up 11 shots on net, 11 blocked shots, six hits, six PIM and a minus-11 rating through 13 contests. He had a career-high 26 points in 2022-23, so most fantasy managers won't need to keep track of Sturm's production this season.

NOVEMBER 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Shakes off tough injury Sturm was hit in the face with a shot in Friday's 3-0 loss against the Hurricanes, but he was able to return.

Impact Sturm was hit near the ear, and he was down for several moments midway through the second period after receiving friendly fire off the stick of Mario Ferraro. Sturm was tended to on ice by the training staff before immediately going to the locker room. He was able to return and finish the game, but he ended up scoreless with two shots in 15:21 of ice time while winning an amazing 17 of 20 faceoff attempts. The 28-year-old German has yet to record a point through seven games this year, so there's no reason for fantasy managers to keep tabs on him.

OCTOBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up two helpers Sturm recorded two assists in a 7-2 victory over Arizona on Saturday.

Impact Sturm had his first multi-point game since Feb. 25. Sturm's not a major offensive force, but he has set new career highs with 14 goals and 26 points in 68 appearances in 2022-23. It helps that he entered Saturday's contest averaging 14:45 of ice time, which is up from 11:54 in 2021-22.

APRIL 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lends helper in win Sturm notched an assist and two hits in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Jets.

Impact Sturm set up a Kevin Labanc goal early in the third period. Over his last five games, Sturm has a goal, two assists, 11 shots on net and seven hits. The 27-year-old continues to center the Sharks' third line, and he's up to a career-high 24 points with 112 shots on net, 91 hits and a minus-11 rating through 66 outings this season.

MARCH 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Manages assist Saturday Sturm logged an assist and four shots on goal in Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Islanders.

Impact The Sharks didn't have many bright spots, but Sturm dominated at the faceoff dot, winning 16 of 22 draws. The 27-year-old also ended a six-game point drought when he assisted on a Kevin Labanc goal shortly after the Sharks killed a penalty. Sturm is up to a career-high 22 points with 105 shots on net, 84 hits, 21 PIM and a minus-10 rating through 62 contests this season.

MARCH 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE