Name:  Marco Sturm

Position: Center

Shoots: Left

Height: 5-11

Weight: 180

Born: 9/8/78 in Dingolfing, Germany

Drafted: 1st Round (21st overall) in 1996 by the Sharks

Number: 19

Salary: $875,000

Scouting Report:

The Finesse Game
Sturm is a versatile skater who can play all three forward positions. There isn't a lot of maintenance to him. He knows where to be without the puck. He is a fine skater with smooth acceleration. He has elite speed. He has good hands for shooting (which, like many Europeans, he needs to do more) and stickhandling. He is a natural scorer who should gain confidence in his next few seasons in the league. Sturm is extremely intelligent and hard working. He is going to be the kind of player who scores important goals.

The Physical Game
Sturm played hurt through the playoffs with a wrist injury that needed minor surgery after the season. He is not very big but competes every night. He is chippy and feisty.

The Intangibles
Depending on how many veteran free agents the Sharks are able to re-sign, Sturm could move into an expanded role and become a steady top six forward.

Projection
If Sturm climbs into the 15- to 20-goal range he will be showing nice progress. He will probably never be more than a 30-goal scorer, but that number is still a few seasons away.

SOURCE: HOCKEY SCOUTING REPORT