After many delays, Marco Sturm finally practices

Marco Sturm wasn’t rattled when his flight to St. Louis for his first practice with the Kings was late.

The German-born left wing learned the value of patience while rehabilitating from two knee operations in the last two years and living in trade limbo while the Kings examined his medical history and put him through two days of tests.

As soon as the Kings completed their trade with Boston — which gives the Bruins the “future considerations” of removing Sturm’s contract from their payroll — he flew to St. Louis. He was delayed and arrived late Tuesday but practiced with the fourth-liners Wednesday at Scottrade Center.

“Finally made it,” the seven-time 20-goal scorer said, smiling.

Sturm is not on the roster and must be activated before he can play. Coach Terry Murray said he’s targeting next Wednesday’s home game against Edmonton for the return of Sturm, who hasn’t played since he tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments of his right knee in May.

Sturm, 32, knew the Kings were seeking a top-six left wing and was intrigued enough to waive his no-trade clause.

“I know it’s a great team and it’s fast. I like that,” he said. “I’ve got to use my speed here and that’s why I said it’s a good fit for me.”

The key is whether the two injuries — he had his left ACL and meniscus repaired during the 2008-09 season — have robbed him of the swiftness that’s crucial to his success.

“I came back from the first one, it didn’t bother me at all. I think I never lose my speed,” he said. “For me it’s no reason to lose my speed. I just need some time, though. But I should be back 100%.”

Like son, like father

Defenseman Rob Scuderi, who didn’t lose any teeth but needed 25 stitches to close a cut on his lip after he was high-sticked by Detroit’s Justin Abdelkader on Monday, isn’t the only injured hockey player in his family.

“My son got stitches last week. He took a slap shot when the ball went off the wall and came back and smacked him in the mouth, so we had to take him to get stitches,” Scuderi said of his 4-year-old, Ryan. “When he was watching the game he said I was copying him.”

Slap shots

Murray said Kevin Westgarth will play on the fourth line Thursday with Kyle Clifford and Trevor Lewis. ... Center Anze Kopitar has five goals in his last five games. He needed 14 games to score his previous five goals. “I don’t feel any different,” said Kopitar, who has 13 goals overall. “I don’t know what it is — just one of those things that when they come, they come in bunches. After that slow start I had I knew I can do better.” …

Center Brayden Schenn, who played eight games with the Kings before being returned to Brandon of the Western Hockey League, made Canada’s roster for the world junior championships scheduled for this month in Buffalo, N.Y.

helene.elliott@latimes.com

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