Nico Sturm signed a two-year, $4 million contract with the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday. It has an average annual value of $2 million.
The 30-year-old forward had 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) in 62 regular-season games for the San Jose Sharks and Florida Panthers last season, including one assist in 15 games after he was acquired by Florida in a trade on March 6.
Sturm did not have a point in eight Stanley Cup Playoff games for the Panthers, who won the Stanley Cup.
“We know what type of guy he is. We know how seriously he takes his role," Wild general manager Bill Guerin said. "Honestly, his face-off percentage is one of the best in the League. Obviously, very attractive to us. We’ve been struggling in that department for a while. ... Just bringing that winning experience back to the team is invaluable. I think it was good for Nico to go out, play a couple other places, see what’s out there, see what he could do, and then I think he really realizes what he is. I think that’s really important. He knows how important his role is to the team and he takes a lot of pride in that, too. Really excited to have him back.”
Originally signed by the Wild as an undrafted free agent on April 1, 2019, Sturm has 92 points (46 goals, 46 assists) in 331 regular-season games for the Wild, Colorado Avalanche, Sharks and Panthers and five points (two goals, three assists) in 30 playoff games. He also won the Cup with the Avalanche in 2022.
"Yeah, first of all, I’m excited to be back, excited that I didn’t have to wait until the second, third, fourth day of free agency to find a team," Sturm said. "Full circle moment for me coming here, and first and foremost for me another chance, hopefully, in the next two years to compete in the Stanley Cup playoffs and bring that elusive Cup to Minneapolis."
