Philipp Kurashev

Kurashev was solid while season top-six usage in his fourth NHL season in 2023-24, picking up 18 goals, 36 assists, 19 power-play points and 128 shots on net while averaging 19:01 of ice time through 75 regular-season contests with Chicago. He should continue to see top-six minutes and healthy power-play usage in 2024-25, and with the Blackhawks seemingly making an effort this offseason to improve the talent surrounding Connor Bedard up front, it wouldn't be surprising to see the team score more goals in 2024-25 - Chicago finished last season with a league-worst 179 goals for. That should lead to more opportunities for Kurashev to write his name on the scoresheet next campaign, potentially giving him a chance to surpass the 20-goal and 60-point marks for the first time in his career next year.

Kurashev's third NHL season was a strange one. His average playing time jumped massively, from 12:51 per game in 2021-22 to 17:25 last year, but his overall production (six goals, 21 points in 67 games two seasons ago, nine goals, 25 points in 70 games last season) was virtually unchanged. It should be noted Kurashev missed Chicago's final 11 games with a shoulder injury. He took the Blackhawks to arbitration this offseason, eventually being awarded a two-year, $4.5 million deal. Kurahsev's fantasy value was minuscule to begin with and the additions of guys like Connor Bedard, Taylor Hall, and Corey Perry will only serve to dilute it further.

Kurashev surprised many by playing in 54 games for the Blackhawks in the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 campaign, finishing the season with eight goals and 16 points. He was again in the lineup more often than not last campaign, although his production (six goals, 21 points) was once again marginal. Toss in the fact Kurashev posted a minus-16 rating and it's tough to rely on him from a fantasy perspective. Time is still on his side since Kurashev will be just 23 years old a handful of days after the upcoming season begins, but he remains a clear fade in most fantasy formats at the moment.

Widely viewed as a mid-range prospect in the Chicago system entering the 2020-21 season, Kurashev ended up suiting up for 54 of the club's 56 games a year ago. The offensive numbers (six goals, 12 points) were perfectly reasonable for a kid who played the entire season at age 21. That said, Kurashev is likely looking at a decreased role in 2021-22 with Jonathan Toews and Kirby Dach back from injury and Tyler Johnson having been acquired from Tampa Bay. It's difficult to believe the Blackhawks would want Kurashev playing a handful of minutes per night on the third or fourth line, so there is definitely a scenario in which he begins the upcoming season in the AHL. Either way, there doesn't figure to be enough opportunity for Kurashev to garner fantasy value this year.

Kurashev made the Blackhawks' Opening Night roster as one of the few options remaining in a forward corps ravaged by injuries. The 21-year-old winger should be a regular in Chicago's lineup in 2020-21, but he only picked up 19 points in 36 AHL games last campaign, and won't produce enough offense at the NHL level to warrant fantasy consideration this season.