Marco Sturm: 2020-21 LA Kings “Ready to Take the Next Step”
- Updated: December 18, 2020
(Photo credit: Sebastian Widmann/Bongarts/Getty Images)
It has been a long year for hockey fans everywhere. That goes especially those of the seven teams who were not involved in this past summer’s Stanley Cup playoffs.
The Los Angeles Kings were one of those teams.
At last, however, there is light at the end of the tunnel as fans of the Kings only have a few more weeks to witness their team’s long-awaited return to the ice. Of course, one would be remiss without mentioning that those within the organization are just as excited for said return.
This includes Marco Sturm.
Marco Sturm (Andrew D. Bernstein/NHLI via Getty Images)
I recently caught up with the Kings’ assistant coach who shared his thoughts on his team’s expectations this season as well as just how great it feels to be back in the swing of things.
“I’m really excited,” beamed Sturm about the NHL’s return. “I’m glad to be back again and to get in that environment and get around my people in the Kings family because that’s what we love to do. This is our job and we love to do it. Being away from the ice, especially us not being in the playoffs, it was not easy. It’s been eight, nine months. It’s been a really long time. I never thought it would be that long of a stretch, as well.”
While the new season is still a few weeks away, Sturm and company have been doing their homework, making sure that they are good and ready for the 2020-21 campaign.
“We are prepared, the coaches, and we cannot wait,” the Kings assistant said. “I don’t think I’m speaking just to us as a Kings family but in general with the NHL fans and all of the teams, everyone can’t wait to get going again and watch hockey on TV again. We’re super excited.”
If there wasn’t enough elation already for the new season, Kings head coach Todd McLellan made sure to have his team — and its fanbase — circles their calendars around January 13 emphatically.
This past weekend, McLellan spoke with Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times, expressing how the silver-and-black are finished with their rebuild:
“The players that are coming back this year, they’re long-term players for us. I heard [general manager] Rob Blake talk to each of the individuals saying, ‘Listen, we are basically done with the initial phase of the rebuilding.’”
Coming off 10 wins in 13 games before the season’s suspension in March, 2019-2020 ended on an auspicious note for the Kings. Above all, though, McLellan wants his players to be excited.
That sentiment was echoed by his assistant.
“I’m excited, too,” Sturm added. “I think the management, with Rob Blake, has done a tremendous job. It was not easy for all of us but I think we definitely have a bright future in front of us. We added some pieces and hopefully we’re going to add some more good players down the stretch who will help us get to the next level.”
Todd McLellan (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Due to the circumstances surrounding COVID-19, crossing borders between Canada and the United States will be an issue. Due to this, the NHL realigned its divisions for this season, putting all seven Canadian teams in one division.
This poses a bit of good news for the Kings as they do not have to deal with their more proven rivals from Western Canada in the Canucks, Flames and Oilers. However, along with the already formidable Vegas Golden Knights, the Kings will now share a division with a tough Colorado Avalanche team as well as the defending Western Conference champion Dallas Stars. Nevertheless, Sturm and his staff are excited for what’s ahead in 2020-21.
“We feel good,” beamed the 14-year NHL veteran. “We feel really good about ourselves with the way we finished last season and we’re really excited to get started again and prove to the world that we’re better than the last few years. So, I think we’re on the right track here. I like how Todd mentioned [that it’s time for the Kings to improve] in his interview. We, as a coaching staff, and the players and management are ready to take the next step.”
Of course, given how 2020 has gone, I needed to ask the former winger how he and his family have been coping during this pandemic.
“We’re doing really well,” Sturm assured me. “We spent a lot of time together as a family. I think that was really good. Everyone is healthy and had no issues during this time, but now it’s time to work again and I’m really excited to be back in L.A. and hopefully my family will come to L.A. for Christmas.”
Photo credit: Adam Pantozzi/NHLI via Getty Images
While key veterans like Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty remain essential, the Los Angeles Kings’ youth movement is what is arguably most appealing for the next few years.
From drafting projected franchise cornerstones in Quinton Byfield and Alex Turcotte to younger guys with more pro experience like Martin Frk and Austin Wagner, the Los Angeles Kings are on their way to returning to championship form. They may not make a ton of noise this coming season as far as contending for the Stanley Cup goes but with the right tools in place, the Kings may be back in the playoffs much sooner than later.
The 2019-20 season marked an auspicious showing for the Kings coaching staff — which also includes Trent Yawney — and they have no plans of slowing down. Marco Sturm and the Los Angeles Kings are back, but they are not content to just enjoy being back. They are wanting to — and, frankly, committed to — showing the hockey world what they were missing in the calamity that was 2020.
Related Posts
About Ryan Cowley
