Nico Sturm

Sturm enjoyed the best year of his career with 26 points, 119 shots on goal and 100 hits in 74 contests in his first year with the Sharks in 2022-23. He benefited from a stable spot in the lineup and 14:44 of ice time, but he's still a long way off from posting fantasy-relevant numbers. The 28-year-old center could also see a reduced role in 2023-24 after the Sharks got Mikael Granlund from the Penguins in the Erik Karlsson deal, and a move to the wing wouldn't give Sturm much of a chance to play above the third line, either. With middling production and little chance for a larger role, he's not a player to target in fantasy drafts.

Sturm became an NHL regular for the Wild last year, producing 11 goals and six assists in 50 games while skating in a fourth-line role. The German center won't enter 2021-22 with a guaranteed spot in the lineup -- the Wild added Frederick Gaudreau in free agency and will also need to make room for top prospect Marco Rossi. If Sturm starts the season well, he should be able to outplay Joseph Cramarossa and Matthew Boldy for a bottom-six job, but the uncertainty in Sturm's role makes it difficult for fantasy managers to call his name on draft day. With regression likely on the way after the 26-year-old shot 17.2 percent last year, there are likely better depth options available in the late rounds.

Sturm saw most of his action with AHL Iowa in 2019-20, producing 12 goals and 20 helpers in 55 games with the farm team. He also appeared in six games at the NHL level, contributing two assists. He signed a two-year contract in October and should challenge for an everyday job in Saint Paul during the 2020-21 campaign. Sturm will likely have to settle for a bottom-six role -- his best chance at getting in the lineup would be to unseat Victor Rask for the fourth-line center job. Fantasy managers likely shouldn't expect much more than 15-to-20 points from Sturm, and he's a candidate to be a healthy scratch at times.

Sturm burst onto the scene following a stellar college career at Clarkson University, where he posted 36 goals and 103 points in 118 NCAA games. He parlayed his success in college to signing a one-year, two-way contract with the Wild this summer. The German's 6-foot-3 frame bodes well for his chances at the next level, and he could project as a solid center in a checking role to begin his career. Heading into 2019-20, it's likely the Wild will give Sturm some seasoning at both the NHL and AHL levels, making him an afterthought in season-long leagues to begin the season.