Fort Lauderdale – Some were built to play for the Florida Panthers.
Newly acquired forward Nico Sturm may be one of them.
“It’s definitely exciting,” Sturm said Friday following his initial practice with the Panthers at the Baptist Health Icleplex. “We ran with San Jose for two weeks. During the last two days I was a bit unsure. You don’t know exactly where. You’ve heard some rumors here and there, but other than that, it’s probably the best scenario for me. I’m here and I’m very excited to help this team win another Stanley Cup.”
Sturm will be bought from San Jose Sharks on Thursday along with the seventh selection in 2027 in exchange for the fourth selection in 2026, bringing both experience and skill to Florida.
In the 316 career NHL game, German centers scored 91 points (46 goals, 45 assists), 171 blocking shots and 401 hits, but also boasted a very impressive 56.8% showdown percentage.
Participating in a room full of champions, the champion won the Stanley Cup in 2022 at the Colorado Avalanche. This includes skating in all six games against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Finals.
More hungry than ever, he wants to add another ring to his resume along with the Panthers.
“In my career, I’ve been blessed with having a very good team in Minnesota and clearly having the opportunity to play for Colorado and win the Cup,” Sturm said. “The last three years have been difficult to win, but the last three have appreciated success in this league and appreciated how difficult it is to win. The reality is that there are players who have played in this league for 10 years and barely play in the playoffs. Now, I have the opportunity to join a very good hockey team again and have the chance to win the Cup. I am truly grateful.”
Sturm, who played for the San Jose rebuilding team this season, has recorded 13 points (7 goals, six assists) in 47 games this season before trading.
One of Facoff Circle’s best players in the NHL, the seven-year veteran arrives for the Panthers with a 62.7% Faceoff Win percentage leading the NHL.
A student of the game, Sturm hone his advantage with the dots through both first-person instruction from players like Mikko Koivu, watching hours of videos with players like Patrick Bergeron.
“There’s a lot of things I want to do after a lot of routines, pre-game skating and after practice,” Sturm said of tweaking his showdown skills. “(I’m) watching a lot of videos at other centers in the league.”
That hard work certainly paid off.
“It’s always been an integral part of my game,” Sturm said of the success of his showdown. “You get the puck, and you don’t have to chase your remaining shifts, it’s always great. It helps with penalty kills. This is clearly part of my game as well. The coach puts you in some situations and you’ll name it in the second half of the game, 5-6. That’s one aspect of the game I’m good at.”
Playoff time is also something that is even more important.
“It’s huge,” coach Paul Maurice said of Sturm’s showdown abilities. “You’ve got to the top 16 (teams) and all of those teams have a power play that allows them to win the series. Since you have so many talents or don’t make the playoffs, it’s one or two showdowns on the night that can make a difference for you.”
Sturm, which is set to be his debut, will be in the lineup when the Panthers host the Buffalo Sabres at Amerant Bank Arena.
In addition to centring on the team’s fourth line, he will also see penalty kill time.
“The first shift,” Maurice said, planning to get a sterm in a penalty kill. “I want him to get as many reps as there are so many different people.”
