Yahoo Sports Blackhawks Have Given Up On Kurashev With Recent Callups
The Chicago Blackhawks have given up on Philipp Kurashev, and for good reason. If he isn't going to be in their plans moving forward and he is really struggling, there is no use in playing him over someone else, whether that be a prospect or a veteran.
Recently, Kurashev has sat in the press box more often than not. He is point-less in his last 11 games, and when he has played over the last month, he averaged less than 13:30 of ice time per game.
Kurashev has now sat out six of the team's past eight games, and win or lose, he hasn't been a help. After breaking out in a big way for 18 goals and 54 points in 75 games last season alongside Connor Bedard on the top line and top power-play unit, he has followed that up with three goals and five points in 30 games while being a -27. Since the Blackhawks have played 39 games this season, that means he is sitting a fair bit and the drop-off is massive.
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Kurashev has seemingly lost all trade value and it doesn't seem likely that the Blackhawks are going to extend him, but rather not qualify him and let him walk to free agency as a UFA. Chicago would rather play a veteran like Pat Maroon or Craig Smith on the fourth line because one or both of them could be dealt at the trade deadline for an asset.
While Kurashev has lost favour in Chicago, the Blackhawks have called up Frank Nazar (10 games played) and now Colton Dach (1 game played) to play ahead of Kurashev. Both are younger and both appear to be part of the future, unlike Kurashev at this point.
It is very unfortunate that this seismic fall-off from just last season from Kurashev isn't anything new for the Blackhawks either after experiencing it from Taylor Raddysh last season. While he found another job in the NHL after Chicago cut ties, I presume that is what will become of Kurashev after this horrible season ends.
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