Chicago GM says his roster is mostly in order for 2023-24. Hawks could add a free agent, possibly another D-Man, and will try to lock in RFA forward Philipp Kurashev.
With a revamped roster, the Blackhawks already figure to look a lot different and, likely better, on the ice next season.
Now after a whirlwind week that saw him select Connor Bedard with the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, swing trades and sign free agents, general manager Kyle Davidson believes "the heavy lifting" is over when it comes to his roster.
Connor Bedard, the No. 1 pick at the 2023 NHL Draft is the lynchpin in an accelerated Blakhawks rebuild. Now Chicago has to sign hockey's next generational talent."I would say we are if not done, we're very, very, very close to being done," Davidson said. "We might look at a spot or two for depth. But we may also just stay patient on that and wait until the fall. Nothing we're chasing right now."
Davidson pointed out the Blackhawks claimed veteran defensemen Jarred Tinordi off waivers from the New York Rangers last season in the opening week. The rugged 31-year-old journeyman fit in well, battled through injuries and signed a one-year contract extension in April.
Davidson said Chicago could wait and "go down that road again," especially to add another defenseman.
Forward Philipp Kurashev.More immediately, the GM wants to retain restricted free agent (RFA) forward Philipp Kurashev, one of 22 players who filed for salary arbitration on Wednesday, July 5. Before the case advances, Davidson hopes he can come to terms with the 23-year-old, who had a cap hit of $750,000 last season and received a qualifying offer of $787,500.
"I’m optimistic we’ll get something ironed out," Davidson said, who expected Kurashev to file. "That’s the responsible thing for them to do on their end, but I’m hoping to get a deal done in short order.
"I don’t have a timeline on it. But that’s what the arbitration process is there for and I’m sure we’ll get something done at some point."
Kurashev has been something of an enigma, yet one with upside potential.
His parents are Russian, but he was born and grew up in Switzerland where his father coaches. Kurashev went on to skate with the Québec Remparts of the QMJHL and was drafted in the fourth round, 120th overall, by the Blackhawks in 2018.
The enigmatic Kurashev has shown flashes, but...The 6-foot, 190-pound forward came to Chicago's AHL affiliate, Rockford, in 2019. Derek King, who coached the farm club at the time, thought there was something special about the speedy Kurashev's skill set and hockey sense.
It hasn't translated yet, at least not consistently, in the NHL. Kurashev showed flashes while recording nine goals and 25 points in 70 games last season while averaging 17:25 of ice time. He missing the final few weeks with a shoulder injury after taking a hit in Washington.
Besides Bedard and 10 other draftees — Bedard is the only one expected to make the team next season — Davidson added:
- Forwards Taylor Hall and the rights to unrestricted free agent (UFA) Nick Foligno via trade with Boston. Foligno signed a one-year, $4 million contract right after the deal.
- The rights to UFA forward Corey Perry from Tampa Bay. The gritty 38-year-old also inked a one-year $4 million deal almost immediately.
- UFA forward Ryan Donato from Seattle in a straight-up signing on July 1. Donato agreed to two-year pact with a $2 million annual cap hit.
In from Seattle: Forward Ryan Donato."We really value Ryan's versatility," Davidson said of the 27-year-old Donato, who was coached at Harvard by his father and former NHLer Ted. "Can play all three forward positions.
"We wanted to make sure if we do find ourself in a spot with injury, we do have some versatile veterans in the lineup to bounce around and take some different roles," he added. "Ryan definitely fit the bill there."
The Blackhawks brought back speedy Andreas Athanasiou, another forward who can play all three spots, signing him on June 7 to a two-year contract with a $4.25 million annual cap hit. The 28-year-old came on strong at the end of last season with Chicago to finish with 20 goals and 40 points.