One thing that is still uncertain is who will take Phil Kessel’s spot on the top line with Milan Lucic and Marc Savard. Michael Ryder got his audition over the weekend, and on Monday, it was Marco Sturm’s turn.
Sturm, who is returning from major reconstructive knee surgery, could be the logical choice for right wing on the top line – especially with center David Krejci looking like he will be able to play Thursday. Krejci, Blake Wheeler and Ryder showed plenty of chemistry together as a line last season, and Patrice Bergeron centered a successful third line with Mark Recchi and Chuck Kobasew. If Sturm, Lucic and Savard can gel together in the next few days and possibly the first few games, head coach Claude Julien could have his top line complete.
“We’ll see what happens, but we like his speed there and obviously his shot, so he could be a good fit there going forward,” Julien said of Sturm.
Sturm simply is happy to be playing, but the 31-year-old agreed that if he is to take that vacant spot, he will need to utilize his greatest strengths: his speed and shot.
“I’m just really excited to be playing on any line and in front of these fans again,” a smiling Sturm said. “But yeah, I think that’s what I can bring. Lots of speed and a good shot. I need to just play my game, and I’ll be fine.”
As Sturm pointed out, if he is skating and getting to the net, Savard will find him.
“You know Savard, he’s going to find me no matter what, so I just need to be alert and always in the play,” Sturm said. “He is such a good passer that he is going to get the puck to me. I just need to create, and I will get chances to score.”
Here are the lines from Monday’s practice:
Forwards
Milan Lucic-Marc Savard-Marco Sturm
Blake Wheeler-David Krejci-Michael Ryder
Mark Recchi-Patrice Bergeron-Chuck Kobasew
Shawn Thornton-Steve Begin/Vladimir Sobotka-Byron Bitz
Defensemen
Zdeno Chara-Derek Morris
Andrew Ference-Dennis Wideman
Mark Stuart-Matt Hunwick/Johnny Boychuk
Goaltenders
Tim Thomas
Tuukka Rask
