Sharks activate Radim Simek, place Nico Sturm on IR

The San Jose Sharks have announced that they have activated defenseman Radim Simek off of injured reserve. Additionally, the team has announced that forward Nico Sturm has been placed on injured reserve.

Simek, 30, was originally placed on injured reserve on November 14 after taking a hit from Minnesota Wild forward Mason Shaw. Simek has one goal in 17 games so far this season and is skating in just under 15 minutes a night.

Undrafted defensive prospect Nick Cicek had been recalled from AHL San Jose in Simek’s place, and now that the Czech blueliner is back it’s possible Cicek is returned to the AHL.

But since Sturm is heading onto injured reserve, there’s no need for the Sharks to make an immediate corresponding move. Sturm, 27, arrived in San Jose in the offseason as a free agent, signing a $2M AAV deal that expires in the summer of 2025.

The former Colorado Avalanche center won a Stanley Cup last season and has gotten off to a relatively hot start so far this year, scoring six goals and eight points in 20 games.

While those numbers might not scream “hot start” in a vacuum, Sturm scored just nine goals 74 games last year, so his scoring this year is a bit of a surprise.

Landing on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury, Sturm will hope to have a speedy recovery so he can return to the Sharks lineup and pick up where he left off.