Preview/Lines #64: Sharks Pay Tribute to Sturm

DENVER — The San Jose Sharks learned about the Nico Sturm trade before morning skate at Ball Arena.

As the Sharks skated, Sturm came out and said good-bye to teammates and staff.

After morning skate, San Jose Sharks young and old paid tribute to the pro’s pro.

A couple common themes?

“He comes in and works the hardest out of everybody,” William Eklund said.

“He’s the definition of a pro athlete,” alternate captain Mario Ferraro said.

Ferraro: He’ll be missed. We were saying after the trade was announced here in the locker room that he’s a guy that everybody looked up to. He’s going to be missed.

His leadership, the way he takes care of himself, the way he prepares for games and practices—he’s a pro athlete. He’s the definition of a pro athlete.

I think Florida is going to be lucky to have him. He’s been there before, he’s had a Cup run before in Colorado, so I wish him luck. He’ll be missed in this group, for sure.

He’s just so consistent with his work ethic, his preparation. He’s good in the faceoff circle. You know what you’re going to get out of him: He’s going to compete, he’s going to give you 100 percent every night. That’s just his personality.

He’s one of the most unselfish guys I’ve seen come through this locker room. He’s going to do whatever it takes to win for the team. That’s what you need from a guy in the playoffs.

Luke Kunin: He was a pro. He came in every day trying to get better. He was also a great example and leader—especially for our young guys—on how to be a pro, have a job in this league, be effective, know your role, and do what you do. I’ve been with him on and off throughout my whole career. He’s a competitive guy and a great teammate. I wish him nothing but the best.

Eklund: A true professional. Everything he brings every day. He comes in and works the hardest out of everybody. It’s a big thing for us young guys to see and look at.

He’s good, we’re going to miss him. He sticks to his routines, a great guy to chat with, too, when you have something you want to ask him. He will for sure be missed.

Fabian Zetterlund: Great hockey player, great person. Such a pro player—takes care of his body extremely seriously. He’s going to do well in Florida. I picked up some stuff in the gym and recovery stuff from him.

Collin Graf: His work ethic was unreal. I think that’s the biggest takeaway, just the work that he puts in day in and day out. You gotta do it every day if you want to get better and stay in this league.

Ryan Warsofsky: A true pro in every sense of the word. Takes care of his body, takes care of his craft. Works on his craft in the gym, on and off the ice. Really good centerman. He’s been playing his best hockey I’ve seen him play here lately. He’s going to fit in really well with that group.

San Jose Sharks (17-37-9)

Luke Kunin didn’t take part in regular morning skate line rushes, and it’s been confirmed since that he will be held out tonight for trade purposes.

Nikolai Kovalenko was activated off IR and will appear in his first game since an upper-body felled him on Jan. 30.

This is Kovalenko’s first game in Denver, since the Avs traded him to the Sharks as part of the Mackenzie Blackwood trade in December.

This is also Alexandar Georgiev’s first game at Ball Center since Colorado sent him to San Jose.

Here’s how lines looked at morning skate:

Eklund-Wennberg-Toffoli
Zetterlund-Celebrini-Smith
Grundstrom-Goodrow-Kovalenko
Graf-Dellandrea-Kostin

Walman-Liljegren
Ferraro-Mukhamadullin
Vlasic-Thompson

Georgiev

Good news, Henry Thrun, on IR with an upper-body injury, participated today in a non-contact jersey.

Colorado Avalanche (36-24-2)

Get all your Colorado Avalanche lines and updates at Colorado Hockey Now!

Where To Watch

Puck drop between the San Jose Sharks and Colorado Avalanche is 6:30 PM PT at Ball Arena. Watch it live on ESPN. Listen to it on the Sharks Audio Network.