Cup-Winning Center Back to Minnesota Wild

For the first time in what seems like ages the Minnesota Wild have money to spend in free agency. So far they haven’t made any big splashes, and a trade for Vladimir Tarasenko has been the most notable move.

It has been reported that Bill Guerin is looking for centers to provide head coach John Hynes with. The Wild need playmakers that are able to put their forwards in position to bury the puck.

Although it’s not a significant deal, grabbing a Stanley Cup winner is hardly something that should fly under the radar. After a four year hiatus, Nico Sturm is headed back to Minnesota.

Nico Sturm signs with MN Wild

Nico Sturm spent the first three and a half years of his NHL career with the Minnesota Wild. Last season he was with the San Jose Sharks before finishing with the Florida Panthers and raising Lord Stanley. Now he’s back where it all started on a two-year deal.

The agreement is two-years and a total of $4 million. With his contract on the books The Athletic’s Michael Russo has the Minnesota Wild still having roughly $11 million to work with under the salary cap.

Barring what happens with Marco Rossi and any other additions, #mnwild's cap space remaining this summer is $10,961,668 (this assumes Buium, Jiricek, Ohgren, Yurov, Wallstedt on the opening night roster).

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) July 1, 2025

In 47 games for the Sharks last year Sturm buried seven goals and had six assists with a -4 plus/minus. He played 15 games down the stretch for Florida and tallied an additional assist with a -2 plus/minus.

Sturm played in eight of the NHL playoff games that Florida participated in. He was a regular early against the Tampa Bay Lightning, but finished playing in just a single game during the Stanley Cup Finals against the Carolina Panthers.

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Minnesota is the offseason home of Sturm, and he clearly still feels a level of comfort with the organization that traded him for Tyson Jost. He picked up his first Stanley Cup that season with Colorado, and has since added to it while developing as a player.

The Minnesota Wild are hoping that Sturm can bring a strong veteran presence to a team that is looking to get over the hump. Guerin has more work to do, but Sturm can be a piece of the puzzle.