SAN JOSE – Newly activated middle Nico Sturm boarded a constitution flight on Saturday afternoon, keen to start a seven-game highway journey together with his San Jose Sharks teammates.
Whether or not Sturm returns dwelling with all those self same Sharks gamers lower than two weeks from now’s one other matter.
The Sharks face the Calgary Flames on Sunday to begin a 12-day highway journey that takes them by way of 4 extra Canadian cities earlier than it ends with stops in Buffalo and Denver. By the point the journey wraps up in Colorado on March 6, a day earlier than the NHL commerce deadline, a number of Sharks gamers, together with Sturm, could possibly be with one other group.
“I anticipate that something’s going to happen in those two weeks that we’re on the road realistically,” mentioned Sturm, a pending unrestricted free agent who was activated off injured reserve on Saturday. “But it’s not something that I’m really worried about. … I’m going to play 100% for the crest until they tell me otherwise.”
The Sharks’ different pending UFAs are forwards Luke Kunin and Walker Duehr, defenseman Jan Rutta, and goalies Vitek Vanecek and Alexandar Georgiev. Sharks normal supervisor Mike Grier just isn’t essentially against bringing a few of these gamers again for subsequent season however needs to see if another NHL groups within the playoff image are keen to fulfill his worth.
Grier and the Sharks on Feb. 1 acquired two 2025 draft picks, a first-rounder and a conditional third-rounder, from the Dallas Stars for ahead Mikael Granlund and defenseman Cody Ceci.
“I’m open to anything, really,” Grier mentioned final month about what he needs in commerce returns. “It’s just how you line up the value. If it’s picks, it’s picks. But I think we’re also open to getting players that can help us right now, whether that’s maybe someone in their mid-20s, or if that’s someone who’s in their early 20s or a young prospect that maybe just needs a year or two.”
Sturm has received a Stanley Cup, is an efficient penalty killer, and is first amongst 157 NHL gamers — who’ve taken a minimum of 200 attracts — in faceoff proportion (63.7). His cap hit is $2 million.
Kunin ($2.75 million cap hit) is a hard-nosed depth ahead who can kill penalties and play a north-south sport. Rutta is a two-time Cup champion able to enjoying in a bottom-pair position for a contending group. Georgiev and Vanecek could be backup choices for groups searching for goalie depth.
Grier will in all probability not be capable of commerce all 5 gamers however would love one thing in return for a pending UFA slightly than doubtlessly letting them stroll for nothing on July 1, the primary day of free company.
“I’m focused on today,” mentioned Kunin, a Sharks alternate captain. “I’m focused on getting better in practice and having a good day here, and whatever tomorrow brings, it brings, and we’ll deal with it then.”
Defenseman Mario Ferraro is a yr away from unrestricted free company however could be probably the most sought-after participant on the Sharks’ roster by contending groups.
Ferraro, 26, has 11 factors in 57 video games this season and is averaging 20:38 in ice time. He kills penalties, blocks pictures, has a boisterous persona, and comes with a modest $3.25 million wage cap hit that almost all contending groups ought to be capable of take in.
Ferraro is aware of his identify is on the market however, like Kunin and Sturm, is making an attempt to disregard the noise.
“Definitely aware of it. Moves are going to happen,” Ferraro mentioned of the deadline. “It’s part of the process for us, the situation that we’re in. So it is what it is. But I don’t think anybody’s really thought about it too much. Ready for a road trip here.”
If Ferraro is traded, he may carry the most important return.
“I think everything’s on the table for us,” Grier added about potential returns. “It’s not in the mode of just gathering picks for the sake of gathering picks. It’s always looking to kind of push this thing forward a little bit and improve our team now, if we can, or improve our team sooner (rather than later).”
Grier additionally mentioned final month that he hadn’t had any substantial contract talks with any of his pending UFAs, and at this level, there’s no purpose to consider that method has modified.
With a lot uncertainty, the Sharks could be unable to keep away from commerce deadline speak for the remainder of the highway journey, which continues in hockey-mad markets like Winnipeg, Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto earlier than stopping in Buffalo and Colorado.
Sturm has averaged simply 9:51 in ice time per sport this season however will begin Sunday’s sport because the Sharks’ third-line middle, giving him an opportunity to play a bit extra – and maybe showcase to contending groups that he’s able to filling that position.
Lower than two weeks earlier than the deadline, how Sturm performs is about the one factor he can management.
“My relationship with this team, with the coaching staff, with Grier, especially, has always been very good, very open,” Sturm mentioned. “There’s always an open-door policy for both of us, and we’ve talked open and honest about where we’re at, and that (the Sharks) might be able to get a good return for me.
“(Grier) has to do what’s best for us as an organization, and I understand that. And if I get the chance in return to play playoff hockey, then so be it. It doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s no possibility of me coming back here in the summer. Really, anything’s on the table right now, and there’s always been great communication between me, Grier and my agent. It’s all very positive.”
Initially Printed: February 22, 2025 at 4:58 PM PST
