Sturm scored an empty-net goal on three shots in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Oilers.

EDGE Analysis

Sturm ended his 11-game goal drought with the tally. He had three assists and 13 shots on net during that span. The 30-year-old forward is in the lineup for his defensive skills more than anything, as he's chipped in five points over 14 appearances while adding 18 shots on net, 14 hits and eight blocked shots.

Sturm (upper body) is in warmups and will play Sunday against the Bruins, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sturm was injured towards the end of the game Saturday night against the Senators, and his status was in doubt for Sunday. He is in warmups though and will center Minnesota's fourth line with Ben Jones and Tyler Pitlick. The 30-year-old will appear in his 11th straight game since a lengthy absence to begin the season, registering one goal and three assists in those outings.

Sturm exited Saturday's game against Ottawa because of an upper-body injury, per Joe Smith of The Athletic.

EDGE Analysis

Sturm is believed to be okay, Smith reported after the game, so the 30-year-old forward might still be able to play Sunday versus Boston. Sturm registered an assist in 10:38 of ice time before leaving Saturday's match. If Sturm can't play against the Bruins, then Hunter Haight will probably draw into the lineup.

Sturm scored a goal on two shots and added three hits in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Blackhawks.

EDGE Analysis

This was Sturm's second game back after missing Minnesota's first 22 games due to a back injury. The 30-year-old's returned has helped fortify the Wild's bottom six. In addition to his goal, he's collected six hits and two blocked shots. Even when the team gets back to full health, Sturm should be able to maintain at least a fourth-line role thanks to his defensive play.

Sturm (back) was activated off injured reserve Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Sturm missed the first month and a half of the 2025-26 campaign due to a back injury, but his season debut is imminent. Although he'll officially be available to suit up for Friday's game in Pittsburgh, a previous report from Michael Russo of The Athletic suggested that Sturm would practice Saturday before potentially returning to game action, so it seems as though the 30-year-old could spend at least one more matchup on the shelf. Sturm made 62 regular-season appearances between San Jose and Florida last year, recording seven goals, seven assists, 107 hits, 34 blocked shots and 20 PIM while averaging 10:25 of ice time. He'll likely handle a bottom-six role once he suits up for Minnesota.

Head coach John Hynes said Tuesday that Sturm (back) is "maybe a week or two away" from making his season debut, per Jessi Pierce of NHL.com.

EDGE Analysis

Sturm has yet to play in 2025-26 and is on injured reserve due to a long-term back injury. He is expected to return to the lineup before the end of November. Once he's able to suit up, he'll slot into a bottom-six role, which could see Ben Jones be a healthy scratch or relegated to the minors.

Head coach John Hynes said Thursday that Sturm (back) is expected to miss 6-8 weeks, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sturm returned to the ice for Friday's preseason finale against Chicago after dealing with a back issue during training camp, but he apparently aggravated his injury, as he was placed on injured reserve Tuesday. Hynes said Wednesday that Sturm was expected to miss "significant time," and the team expects the 30-year-old to undergo back surgery that will sideline him for over a month. Hunter Haight will make his NHL debut during Thursday's Opening Night matchup against St. Louis and should have a chance to make an impact in Sturm's absence.

Head coach John Hynes said Wednesday that he expects Sturm (back) to miss significant time, Sarah McLellan of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sturm missed most of training camp due to a back injury but was able to suit up in Friday's preseason finale against Chicago. However, he landed on injured reserve to begin the regular season and is apparently facing a lengthy early-season absence. It's not yet clear when he'll be in the mix to return to action, but he'll likely take on a bottom-six role once he's healthy.

Sturm (back) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, per Michael Russo of The Athletic.

EDGE Analysis

In a corresponding move, Minnesota recalled Hunter Haight. Sturm had been dealing with a back issue during training camp, but he returned to the lineup in Friday's preseason finale. If he aggravated the injury during Monday's practice, he will miss at least the first three games of the 2025-26 campaign. Still, a timeline for his return is unclear. Once healthy, he will be in the mix for a fourth-line role.

Sturm (back) will participate in Friday's preseason game against Chicago, per the NHL media site.

EDGE Analysis

It'll be Sturm's first exhibition game of training camp due to the back injury. The 30-year-old recorded seven goals, 14 points, 20 PIM and 107 hits in 62 regular-season appearances between San Jose and Florida in 2024-25. Sturm will probably make Minnesota's Opening Night roster, but he might spend some of the campaign as a healthy scratch.