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Chicago Blackhawks will enter the 2025-26 NHL season without this 54-point forward

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Sam Walker
July 25, 2025 (4:41 PM)

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The Chicago Blackhawks have recently cut ties with a former 54-point forward and will now enter the 2025-26 NHL season with a new-looking, revamped lineup.

Several decisions were in dire need of making from general manager Kyle Davidson during the NHL offseason and free agency period; some of those included acquiring a Stanley Cup Champion from the Seattle Kraken and also re-signing their leading scorer Ryan Donato.

But who's departed from the organization?

Blackhawks part ways with Philipp Kurashev, former 2018 4th round pick this summer

One of the multiple players who have departed from the organization is former 54-point goal-scoring forward Philipp Kurashev, who did not receive a qualifying offer from the Chicago Blackhawks.

A former 120th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2018 NHL entry draft, the young centerman never panned out as to what many in the organization once hoped; a top-six forward.

After earning a 2-year extension with the Blackhawks with an AAV of $2.25M, he reached a new career-high season, tallying up 54 points (18 goals, 36 assists), but would later lose sense of production the following season.

He did not last one on the open market as the San Jose Sharks signed Kurashev to a one-year deal very quickly after July 1st free agency opened.

Now on a one-year, $1.2M deal, Kurashev is receiving another shot at an opportunity to bloom on a bottom-dwelling team in the NHL.

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We hope Kurashev can find his groove in San Jose, with our fingers crossed that he can keep his hockey hopes in North America alive.

Previously on Chicago Hockey Insider

Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks complete a trade today in history

Edmonton Oilers reportedly have eyes set on their new goaltender being 25-year-old Chicago Blackhawks Swede

1400 game veteran set to partake in final NHL season before retirement

POLL
JUILLET 25 \| 250 ANSWERS Chicago Blackhawks will enter the 2025-26 NHL season without this 54-point forward Do you think the Blackhawks will regret parting ways with this 54-point forward?
Yes	122	48.8 %
No	128	51.2 %
List of polls

Chicago Blackhawks will enter the 2025-26 NHL season without this 54-point forward

The Chicago Blackhawks have recently cut ties with a former 54-point forward and will now enter the 2025-26 NHL season with a new-looking, revamped lineup.

Blackhawks part ways with Philipp Kurashev, former 2018 4th round pick this summer

Do you think the Blackhawks will regret parting ways with this 54-point forward?