The Florida Panthers have added another Shark to the roster mix, acquiring forward Nico Sturm and a seventh-round draft pick in 2027 from San Jose in exchange for the Cats’ fourth-round draft pick in 2026.
Sturm has produced seven goals and 13 points in 47 games this year. He brings good size to the table at 6′-3″, 210-pounds and is strong in the face-off dot (62.7%).
This is another savvy depth pick-up by general manager Bill Zito as the 29-year-old Sturm could compete with Tomas Nosek for time as the fourth line center role or Jonah Gadjovich on the wing.
An undrafted free agent out of Clarkson University, the German-born Sturm has played a total of 316 NHL games and put up 91 points (46G/45A). In addition to playing for the Sharks, he has also suited up for the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche, where he won the Stanley Cup in 2022.
Florida also continued to modify its goaltending depth chart. After placing Chris Driedger on waivers following the acquisition of Vitek Vanecek, the Panthers sent him to the Winnipeg Jets for Kaapo Kähkönen.
Kähkönen has spent most of the season with the AHL’s Manitoba Moose, where he posted a 6-14-0 record, 3.29 GAA, and .885 save percentage.
The 28-year-old has a total of 49 wins to his credit.