Skilled, but inconsistent 23-year-old forward will earn $2.25 annually thanks to arbitration decision. GM Kyle Davidson still has hopes for Kurashev, who has upside.
Blackhawks forward Philipp Kurashev has been awarded a two-year contract with a $2.25 million cap hit through arbitration.
Chicago general manager Kyle Davidson will spend a little more than he might have liked on Kurashev. However Davidson wanted to keep the skilled, but inconsistent 23-year-old who still has considerable upside.
Kurashev closes in on goal against Tampa BayWhen the speedy 6-foot, 190-pound native center turned pro with AHL Rockford in 2019, then IceHogs coach Derek King noted Kurashev had a certain “X-factor” when it came to skating, seeing the ice and hockey sense. The Swiss-born forward has yet to translate those regularly in the NHL, but has shown flashes.
Kurashev had nine goals and 16 assists in 70 games last season. He has 23 goals and 39 assists in 191 games — all with Chicago.
Kurashev was selected by the Blackhawks in the fourth round of the 2018 entry draft. He made his NHL debut in January 2021.
Kurashev’s family is Russian, but he was born in Münsingen, Switzerland, where his father, Konstantin, has been a coach. He has represented Switzerland three times at the IIHF World Championships (2019, 2021, 2022), recording recording three goals and 10 assists in 24 games.
At the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship, Kurashev was named to the tournament’s All-Star Team after leading all skaters with six goals in seven games. He also played three seasons with the QMJHL Québec Remparts before turning pro in 2019.