Bruins and Marco Sturm Agree to Contract Extension

[Smerri1029]

BOSTON, MA -- Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club and left-winger Marco Sturm have agreed to a multi-year contract extension.

“As an organization, we are very excited to have Marco commit to the Bruins,” said Chiarelli. “Marco is a highly skilled and extremely fast player who scores goals and shows enthusiasm to play in traffic. He could have easily tested the free agency market, and in all likelihood would have received higher compensation, so we are thrilled that he chose to commit to Boston and our goal of building a highly competitive team for both now and for the future.”

“I am really happy that we were able to get this deal done so that I can stay in Boston,” said Sturm. “I signed this deal because I am confident about the future of this team, and also because I love Boston and playing in front of the Boston fans.”

Sturm, 28 years old, from Dingolfing, Germany, was acquired by the Bruins on November 30, 2005, along with Brad Stuart and Wayne Primeau, from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Joe Thornton. Thus far, this season, he has scored 20 goals and registered 11 assists in 54 games. Last season in 51 games with the Bruins, Sturm tallied 23 goals and 20 assists.

“Marco is a dedicated, hardworking, motivated player who uses his speed and skill on a nightly basis to help our team,” said Bruins Head Coach Dave Lewis. “I am excited to have him in the mix for the foreseeable future.”

Prior to coming to the Bruins near the halfway point of last season, Sturm spent seven and a half campaigns with the San Jose Sharks. While with San Jose, Sturm played 553 games, scoring 128 goals and 145 assists. The Sharks acquired him with their first pick (21st overall) in the 1996 NHL Player Entry Draft.

Despite being traded during the last campaign, Sturm’s best statistical NHL season came in 2005-2006, as he scored 29 goals and tallied 30 assists for 59 total points (combined between his play in San Jose and Boston).

Sturm is an accomplished player at the international level, and has represented Germany six times: 1995 World Junior Championships (6 games, 4-6=10), 1997 World Championships (8 games, 1-1=2), 2001 World Championships (7 games, 4-1=5), 2003 World Cup (4 games, 2-0=2), 1998 Olympics (2 games, 0-0=0) and the 2002 Olympics (5 games, 0-1=1). In addition, Sturm was named to the 2006 German Olympic team, but he did not play due to a shoulder injury.

[MattBurger]

Excellent signing for the Bruins. As of now they have Sturm (2011), Savard (2010), Chara (2011), Bergeron (2011), Axelsson (2009), Kessel (2009), Glen Murray (2009), Ference (2010) and Tim Thomas (2009) locked up long term. Hopefully they can add some veterans and grit in free agency this off-season, then they'll be all set.

[bengino]

i think this may be paying a tad much for Sturm... i'm not saying he is a bad player, but he makes some top notch money. Hope he can keep his game improving to make this signing worth it.

[Sandmachine]

Yea, his recent hot streak probably gained him a few extra hundred thousand bucks...otherwise he was about to be traded.

[davesakiller]

Originally Posted by MattBurger

Excellent signing for the Bruins. As of now they have Sturm (2011), Savard (2010), Chara (2011), Bergeron (2011), Axelsson (2009), Kessel (2009), Glen Murray (2009), Ference (2010) and Tim Thomas (2009) locked up long term. Hopefully they can add some veterans and grit in free agency this off-season, then they'll be all set.

the future may be bright for us bruins fans.

[blackngold]

great signing

[McDonald19]

a lot of money for a 20 goal scorer, but at least he is consistent.

[blackngold]

Originally Posted by McDonald19

a lot of money for a 20 goal scorer, but at least he is consistent.

he's a 30 goal scorer... had 29 last season and has 20 already this season

[McDonald19]

Originally Posted by blackngold

he's a 30 goal scorer... had 29 last season and has 20 already this season

Your reaching...he has yet to get over the 30 goal plateau. Plus his assist totals are very low. So that is a lot of money for someone who will give you 28 goals but very few assists and no physical presence. I'm not saying it's a bad signing, it's just not a great one.

97-98: 10 goals
98-99: 16 goals
99-00: 12 goals
00-01: 14 goals
01-02: 21 goals
02-03: 28 goals
03-04: 21 goals
04-05: lockout
05-06: 29 goals
06-07: 28 goals (projection)

[blackngold]

Originally Posted by McDonald19

Your reaching...he has yet to get over the 30 goal plateau. Plus his assist totals are very low. So that is a lot of money for someone who will give you 28 goals but very few assists and no physical presence. I'm not saying it's a bad signing, it's just not a great one.

97-98: 10 goals
98-99: 16 goals
99-00: 12 goals
00-01: 14 goals
01-02: 21 goals
02-03: 28 goals
03-04: 21 goals
04-05: lockout
05-06: 29 goals
06-07: 28 goals (projection)

I'm not saying he's been a 30 goal scorer all his career but he certainly has been since the lockout. 29 and 28 are close enough to 30 for me

[Isles4life]

He's played pretty well for them despite the terror that was the Thornton trade. I think they made the right move to keep him in Boston.

[Ciccarelli]

Good move. I always liked Sturm, he can score 30 goals a year, and is a very hard worker in all areas of the game. I think he can assume also a leadership role in Boston, something he hasn't done in San Jose.

[cashman rules]

Originally Posted by davesakiller

the future may be bright for us bruins fans.

I hear ya,any brighter and i will lose all vision in both my eyes!! Now to fill the rest of the voids in the lineup