San Jose Sharks Forward Stepping Away From Team

Nico Sturm, the center for the San Jose Sharks, has recently taken a leave of absence from the team.

This decision was made to address a family matter, and as a result, Sturm will miss at least the team's next two games.

This leave of absence is expected to last a minimum of one week. To accommodate his absence, the Sharks requested and were granted permission by the league for Sturm to occupy a non-roster status.

This means he will not count against the 23-man roster until he returns.

Nico Sturm will be taking a leave of absence from the team to attend to a personal family matter and will miss the two upcoming games on the road on Nov. 20 at Vancouver and Nov. 22 at Seattle. Out of respect to Nico’s privacy, the organization will not have any further comment.
— San Jose Sharks PR (@SanJoseSharksPR) November 17, 2023

Sturm's departure comes amid a challenging season for him and the Sharks.

This season, Sturm has recorded just two assists in 17 games, despite averaging nearly 15 minutes of play per contest.

The 28-year-old German player is in the second year of a three-year deal with the Sharks, valued at $6 million, which he signed in free agency in 2022.

Per #SJSharks: Nico Sturm will be taking a leave of absence from the team to attend to a personal family matter and will miss the two upcoming games on the road on Nov. 20 at Vancouver and Nov. 22 at Seattle. Out of respect to Nico’s privacy, the organization will not have any…
— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) November 17, 2023

Last season, he achieved a career-high of 14 goals and 26 points in 74 games, demonstrating a solid defensive presence in the team's bottom six. His full-time NHL role began in 2020 with the Minnesota Wild.

The impact of Sturm's absence on the team and any further details about his return are yet to be disclosed.

The San Jose Sharks, meanwhile, will have to adjust their lineup and strategies to compensate for his absence in the upcoming games. Photo Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports