The Chicago Blackhawks re-signed Ryan Donato on Wednesday, bringing back a former 31-goal scorer who has had success in Chicago's top six. At the same time, the Blackhawks are now expected to part ways with another forward who had previously had success in a big role.
The Athletic reported on Thursday that the Blackhawks are not expected to qualify pending restricted free agent Philipp Kurashev.
Kurashev, 25, had a down year in Chicago, playing in just 51 games and putting up 14 points during that time. The 2024-25 NHL Season was Kurashev's worst year in the league, coming off a career year in 2023-24 where Kurashev registered 18 goals, 36 assists and 54 points in 75 games.
Kurashev, who averaged 13:43 minutes a night last season, fell out of favor with then-head coach Luke Richardson and again with then-interim head coach Anders Sorensen.
The Blackhawks drafted Kurashev in the fourth round of the 2018 NHL Draft. Kurashev has played in 317 games over the past five years.
PHILIPP KURASHEV WALKS IT OFF FOR CHICAGO 🎯 pic.twitter.com/KYNt8pQsuw
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) November 11, 2024
Kurashev's strong performance in 2023-24 came with playing alongside then-rookie Connor Bedard, but for whatever reason, his game fell apart after getting separated from Bedard this past year.
Is parting ways with Philipp Kurashev a mistake for the Blackhawks?
The Blackhawks have several young players looking to make the jump to the NHL this upcoming year. Frank Nazar is not starting this year in the AHL. Colton Dach, Landon Slaggert, and Oliver Moore all could be on the Blackhawks roster.
Then there are guys like Ryan Greene, Marek Vanacker, Paul Ludwinski, Nick Lardis and company who all will be showing up to training camp looking to impress.
Through the draft, general manager Kyle Davidson has built a more competitive team, one where roster spots have to be earned. Kurashev's play this past season did not earn him a spot.
With that said, there is a risk with letting Kurashev walk in free agency. Davidson did something similar with another 25-year-old in 2022.
The Blackhawks didn't re-sign Dylan Strome that summer, and Strome subsequently joined the Washington Capitals only to become a top-line guy putting up 82 points this past season.
It should be noted that Kurashev is not Strome, but you get the point. With any decision to let a player walk in free agency, there is always the chance they find their game elsewhere.
The Blackhawks parting ways with Philipp Kurashev wouldn't be a bad decision. It would have been nice to get something in return for the forward at the trade deadline this past March, but obviously, nothing came to fruition. If Chicago is now ready to go in a different direction and open up the roster spot, then they should go for it.
