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Blackhawks kick a player to the curb and are quickly regretting it

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Jack Sutherland
November 2, 2025 (9:54 PM)

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The Chicago Blackhawks could live to regret not re-signing Philipp Kurashev, who is now thriving as a member of the San Jose Sharks after signing him during the summer.

There are several former Chicago Blackhawks players in the NHL right now, but perhaps none are thriving more than former Blackhawks forward Philipp Kurashev, who is now with the San Jose Sharks.

The Blackhawks took Kurashev with the 120th overall pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, and he would start his career with the AHL affiliate Rockford IceHogs before eventually becoming a regular member of the Blackhawks.

But they chose not to re-sign him, and he instead accepted a one-year deal with the San Jose Sharks.

Per Blackhawks analyst Rob Couch, Kurashev is thriving with the Sharks and may have just needed a change in scenery.

"Kurashev hasn't won a spot on the top power-play unit, but he hasn't needed it, doing all of his scoring at even strength. This is a perfect example of either giving up on someone too early after a rough season and it coming back to bite a team, or how important a change of scenery is in the NHL.

Kurashev is proving that he belongs in the NHL and the 2023-24 season with the Blackhawks wasn't a fluke."

So far this year, Kurashev has eight points (5G, 3A) in 10 games and is on pace for 55 points, which would be a new career-best.

The Blackhawks Chose Not To Re-Sign Philipp Kurashev

Kurashev explained what things that he felt he did right in his second to last last year with Chicago, during which he scored 54 points (18G, 36A).

"I was just doing a lot of the small things. Winning a lot of the battles, I was helping out, creating offense, I was also playing a lot of minutes, and had some power play time as well. Everything was clicking, and I was able to really show myself. It was definitely a good year for me, but also [there were] just a lot of things I learned from that and that I can take with me."

Kurashev has 138 points (53G, 85A) in 327 career games.

Previously on Chicago Hockey Insider

Former Blackhawks future with the Rangers addressed: Done in New York?

Blackhawks should explore opportunity of Bruins forward being placed on the trade block

Chicago Blackhawks appear to be ideal landing spot for disgruntled Oilers defenseman

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NOVEMBRE 2 \| 141 ANSWERS Blackhawks kick a player to the curb and are quickly regretting it Did the Blackhawks make a mistake by not re-signing Philipp Kurashev?
Yes	57	40.4 %
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Blackhawks kick a player to the curb and are quickly regretting it

The Chicago Blackhawks could live to regret not re-signing Philipp Kurashev, who is now thriving as a member of the San Jose Sharks after signing him during the summer.

The Blackhawks Chose Not To Re-Sign Philipp Kurashev

Did the Blackhawks make a mistake by not re-signing Philipp Kurashev?