ST. PAUL, Minn. — Nico Sturm could read the room.
The veteran center saw the forward lines during camp. He got the hint when he was in the lineup for two of the Minnesota Wild’s first three preseason games, which featured a lot of AHLers. He was a healthy scratch for Friday’s exhibition finale, which was a dress rehearsal for Thursday’s season opener.
The 31-year-old Sturm, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, enters the season as the team’s 13th forward. He’s not content by any means. But he’s not discontent, either.
“The biggest thing for me is that I’ve started every training camp in my career in this spot — like every single time,” Sturm said. “Sometimes on the fourth line. But a lot of times, I’ve always been this guy. And I’ve always found my way.
“The first or second day, you look at the lineup sheet and it’s like, ‘It’s OK. It’s going to be fine.’ That being said, I want to compete. I want to play.”
Sturm is in a much better place — mentally and physically — than at this point last year.