Sharks centerman thriving in bigger role
Former Minnesota forward Sturm has been big part of Sharks' improved play since 0-5-0 start
San Jose Sharks forward Nico Sturm stood in the visitor's locker room at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York nearly a month ago and laid things out in unambiguous terms.
“We don't have a lot of time. The hole's getting deeper and deeper,” Sturm said on Oct. 18 after the Sharks' 5-2 loss to the New York Islanders, dropping their record to 0-5-0. “At some point soon, it's just going to be too late already.”
The Sharks started the long road back to respectability the next day, and although they've lost games in a variety of ways over the last four weeks, have still managed to resurrect their season.
Since that loss to the Islanders, the Sharks are 5-4-3 and entered Monday among a group of Western Conference teams just outside of a playoff spot.
Sturm's been an important part of the turnaround, as his game-tying goal Sunday in what would become a 3-2 shootout win over the Minnesota Wild was his sixth of the season.
But besides an uptick in production and a larger role with the team, Sturm, it seems, has also become a leader of sorts, thanks to the work ethic he demonstrates on a daily basis and the gravitas that comes with winning a Stanley Cup.
“Just a real honest hockey player that plays the game the way it needs to be played,” Sharks coach David Quinn said of Sturm after Sunday's game. “He's long, he's rangy, he's got a second and third effort in all three zones. He's coachable, and I'm happy for him that he's getting rewarded statistically seems for goals.
“Just really happy for him and happy for us that we have him.”
After back-to-back wins over Dallas and Minnesota, two playoff teams from last season, the Sharks have moved to three points back of the Wild for the second and final wild-card spot in the west.
“We've lost some games we were leading, and you scratch your head (and ask), how the hell did that happen?” Quinn said after Sunday's win over the Wild.
“If you haven't watched us, you look at the record and you think that's what we are. But after an 0-5 start, we've played good hockey. I feel good for our guys and eventually, your record evens out to what you deserve to be, and tonight was a big one for us.”