By Mariah E. Stark,The Hockey Writers

Copyright yardbarker

“Actually, I’ve played like four different systems now, so I’ve seen kind of all of it. The first time I was here, we played more of a passive box… and then Colorado was more of a diamond; it was a little more passive. San Jose, we’d play top-down pressure; Florida was like really aggressive diamond. So I’ve seen different ways to do it, which is always helpful. Also, talk to power play guys on what they think of certain penalty kills. Some power play guys, like for example, love playing against top-down pressure because they think it opens up seams more. So, you try to look on the other side…talk to them a little more about what they see when you kill against them, that might help you and then here you know it’s going to be a little different than how we killed in Florida but nothing I can’t adjust to,” Sturm explained when asked about the different systems he’s seen.

“I think it’s going to be more of a box style, stay in the dot lanes type of deal, but yeah, every team does it different. It also depends a little bit on the personnel so like for example, Florida I think one of the things that allowed us to play that really aggressive diamond is that we had really tall and lengthy d-men that could skate really well and you have to anticipate a lot when you play that type of penalty kill so yeah personnel probably plays a little bit of a role…,” Sturm said about what the Wild’s kill will be like.

Sturm’s a Strong Acquisition

While some may be wondering why the Wild brought Sturm back after trading him away, he’s a different player now than he was then. He wasn’t a bad player then either, but he was at the start of his career, and now it’s seven years later, and he’s learned a lot about the game in that time that he’ll be able to help his young teammates with as well.

“Not at all, I think it’s probably talking about differences in my situation compared to last time. It was like, it was my first three years in the league, and you’re trying to find a role for yourself, trying to figure out what kind of player you are, not a lot of ambiguity in terms of that right now. They knew exactly what they were looking for. I know the player that I am, I know what I’m not, and I also know what I’m very good at. So, it just makes your role easier because I know that I don’t have to worry about the power play or anything like that….,” said Sturm on how it was easier to adjust with the Wild now versus his first time with them and he continued, “I want to be an elite 4C that’s great on the kill that’s where I can help the team the most. Be first on the forecheck and be solid in the circle, and anything outside of that is secondary.”

Hopefully, Sturm’s experience over the seasons will help the Wild, and he’s even studied video of the Wild’s play, so he’s ready to adjust and play the styles that they play. He’s a player who is almost constantly studying and preparing for every situation, which is exactly the type of player the Wild need, and hopefully, he will provide invaluable experience as well as play to help get them deep into the postseason.