Sharks Practice: Sturm Out How Long? Studnicka Will Play Tomorrow, Vlasic Rejoins Team

DENVER – Nico Sturm could be out for a little while.

Yesterday, Sturm was put on IR with what San Jose Sharks head coach David Quinn termed a mid-body injury. It’s San Jose Hockey Now’s belief that it’s a hand or wrist injury.

Quinn didn't have an update on Sturm, termed it a "mid-body" injury.

Here's his last shift, fell awkwardly, dropped stick, skated off perhaps holding arm or wrist? pic.twitter.com/oFGe615BE1

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) December 13, 2023

Sturm came out at the end of practice on Thursday, in full gear, but conspicuously, skated without a stick.

Today, Quinn called Sturm’s injury week-to-week, as opposed to day-to-day or month-to-month. So not the worst news, but certainly not the best.

New San Jose Sharks center Jack Studnicka is moving right into Sturm’s 3C spot. Acquired yesterday from the Vancouver Canucks, Studnicka, sporting No. 16, got in his first Sharks practice today at Magness Arena, where the University of Denver plays.

Studnicka centered Mike Hoffman and Luke Kunin.

Safe to say, with Sturm, Logan Couture, and Ryan Carpenter out, Quinn is happy to add a competent natural NHL-caliber center to the line-up.

“Having another center would certainly help. Obviously, two guys playing out of position,” the San Jose Sharks bench boss said yesterday, about using wingers-first Kunin and Filip Zadina up the middle in a 1-0 loss to the Arizona Coyotes.

Sharks Locker Room: Quinn Talks Studnicka, Doesn’t Blame Disallowed Goals for Loss

So Studnicka in, Sturm out. The same one in, one out might also be happening on defense.

Kyle Burroughs is questionable for tomorrow against the Colorado Avalanche, while Marc-Edouard Vlasic returned from a personal absence. The veteran defenseman has been away from the team for about a week for personal reasons, but Quinn says he is available to play tomorrow.