In a surprising shift of direction, the Chicago Blackhawks are now laying the groundwork for a possible reunion with Philipp Kurashev, the skilled 25-year-old forward they allowed to walk into free agency just weeks ago.
What seemed like a firm decision to move on has quietly evolved into a calculated reconsideration — and sources suggest the regret within the organization is real.
“They’re realizing what they lost,” one NHL scout familiar with the situation said. “And they’re not the only team keeping tabs.”
Kurashev, a former fourth-round pick by the Blackhawks in the 2018 NHL Draft, played 317 games over five seasons in Chicago, and just a year ago looked like a core piece of their rebuild. In the 2023–24 season, he broke out with 54 points (18 goals, 36 assists) in 75 games, often flourishing on a line with rookie phenom Connor Bedard.
But after being shuffled around the lineup and separated from Bedard last season, Kurashev’s performance dipped significantly. He managed just 14 points in 51 games during the 2024–25 campaign and eventually fell out of favor under both head coach Luke Richardson and interim bench boss Anders Sorensen.
That downturn led Chicago to decline his qualifying offer, making him a free agent. At the time, it seemed like a clean break. Now, it may have been a misstep.
A Changing Outlook
Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson has been relentless in his effort to rebuild the team with younger, more dynamic talent — and that plan is still intact. With rising prospects like Frank Nazar, Oliver Moore, Landon Slaggert, and Colton Dach pushing for roster spots, the Blackhawks have no shortage of raw potential.
But talent alone doesn’t win in the NHL — chemistry, experience, and familiarity with the system matter. And few young players had better chemistry with Bedard than Kurashev.
“They made a decision based on one bad season,” a league executive noted. “But you have to ask — was it really the player, or the situation?”
The regret isn’t just internal. Blackhawks fans, many of whom saw flashes of elite potential in Kurashev, were disappointed by the quiet exit. He wasn’t traded at the deadline, and Chicago got nothing in return. Now, as other teams show interest, the front office is reportedly weighing a short-term, incentive-laden deal to bring him back into the fold.
A Familiar Risk
Letting Kurashev go brings back echoes of a 2022 decision that still lingers: the Blackhawks chose not to re-sign Dylan Strome, then 25, who went on to thrive with the Washington Capitals, putting up 82 points this past season.
Kurashev may not be Strome, but the lesson remains — letting young, developing talent leave without exploring all options can come back to haunt a rebuilding team.
A Path Forward?
As of now, no deal has been offered, and Kurashev remains a free agent. But with several teams expressing interest — and the Blackhawks quietly reevaluating — the door appears to be open.
If Kurashev is willing to return, and the organization is ready to admit it may have moved too quickly, this could be more than a second chance. It could be a crucial piece of Chicago’s long-term puzzle falling back into place.
“Sometimes,” said one team official off the record, “the smartest move is realizing the one you shouldn’t have made.”
