Kings closing in on deal for Marco Sturm

 

Desperate for offense, the Kings have closed in on a trade for Boston left wing Marco Sturm, who has yet to play this season after undergoing knee surgery during the offseason. The cost will be a draft pick that would be conditional on how well Sturm performs or meets certain standards.

Sturm, who is in the final year of a four-year, $14-million contract, agreed to waive his no-trade clause, according to Bob McKenzie of TSN. However, it's likely the Kings will want Sturm to pass a physical before the deal is completed, because of his knee problems.

He tore ligaments in his left knee in the 2008-09 season and injured his right knee during the second round of the playoffs last spring.

The German-born winger began his career with San Jose and was drafted by then-General Manager Dean Lombardi, who is now the Kings' general manager. He has yet to play this season but resumed practicing this week.

We'll have more as this develops.

-- Helene Elliott

 Photo: The Ducks' Matt Cullen, left, and San Jose's Marco battle for the puck. Credit: Kim D. Johnson / Associated Press.