Philipp Kurashev doesn\u2019t want to reminisce about his time with the Chicago Blackhawks, especially last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want to talk too much about how it was last year,\u201d the San Jose Sharks forward told reporters in Chicago today. \u201cIt was a pretty hard year for me and for the team, of course. This year, it\u2019s been such a different experience, and I\u2019ve really enjoyed it so far.\u201d<\/p>\n
Two seasons ago, Kurashev exploded for 18 goals and 54 points in 75 games. He was mainstay in the Blackhawks\u2019 top-six and first power play unit, alongside rookie Connor Bedard. Last year, his production dropped to seven goals and 14 points in 51 games. Chicago struggled too, finishing second-to-last in the NHL.<\/p>\n
The Blackhawks did not give restricted free agent Kurashev a qualifying offer. Mike Grier inked the Swiss winger to a one-year, $1.2 million prove-it-deal this summer. Kurashev welcomed the change of scenery.<\/p>\n
\u201cI needed that, definitely to start the year,\u201d Kurashev said. \u201cBefore my [recent] injury, I was feeling really good and playing well. I think it\u2019s something I needed. I\u2019m glad I was able to get the opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kurashev getting the stick taps in his return to Chicago pic.twitter.com\/aPh2yLjTgJ<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) February 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n In Calgary two days ago, Kurashev played in his first game since leaving with an upper-body injury before the Sharks\u2019 comeback over the Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a>. He\u2019s had a rebound season, posting six goals and 15 points in 32 games and fluctuating throughout the team\u2019s top-nine. He credits that, in part, to his new team.<\/p>\n \u2018The way we are with each other, it\u2019s so positive and [there\u2019s] so much joy in our in our room,\u201d Kurashev said \u201cI think it shows on the ice, and we\u2019ve been able to have some success. But now it\u2019s time to keep it going and make that [playoff] push.\u201d<\/p>\n Kurashev kept that same mentality when asked if facing his former team gives him a chip on his shoulder:<\/p>\n \u201c100 percent,\u201d Kurashev shared. \u201cBut at the end of the day\u2026 it\u2019s a really important game for us. We have to get the win. We know it\u2019s the time now that we need every point we can get. That\u2019s what the focus is on, and I\u2019m just going to try to do my best to help the team in every way I can.\u201d<\/p>\n Philipp Kurashev just returned from injury for the Sharks, and he’s about to go play for Switzerland in the Olympics. But sandwiched in between is his return to Chicago tonight.<\/p>\n He met up with Connor Bedard and Colton Dach for lunch at Gibson’s Italia yesterday.<\/p>\n “It’s really\u2026<\/p>\n \u2014 Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) February 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The Sharks\u2019 playoff push is largely powered by budding superstar Macklin Celebrini. Kurashev has played alongside both Celebrini and Bedard and gave this comparison:<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re both just really big competitors, want to be the best, [and] want to do everything they can to help their team win,\u201d Kurashev said \u201cI think that\u2019s how they\u2019re really similar: Their drive and the drive to be the best. It\u2019s been really cool to see and to be around both of them. They\u2019re obviously great players, and going to be great players for a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n Luckily, Kurashev returned from injury in time to represent Switzerland at the upcoming Olympics.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was definitely on my mind and [I\u2019m] just glad that I [got] a couple games in before I go there,\u201d Kurashev said. \u201c[It will] also be good that I can get those games at the Olympics, so when I come back, I\u2019ll also be in game shape as well. That\u2019s huge for me. I think the timing of it kind of worked out at the end. It was a lot of hard moments and tough days, but I\u2019m glad it all worked out.\u201d<\/p>\n San Jose Sharks (27-22-4)<\/p>\n Yaroslav Askarov will start.<\/p>\n John Klingberg and Zack Ostapchuk will be scratched.<\/p>\n Head coach Ryan Warsofsky is looking for cleaner puck-moving from veteran Klingberg.<\/p>\n As for Ostapchuk?<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s been playing some good hockey. More of a reset,\u201d Warsofsky said. \u201cHe\u2019s been playing a lot of hockey. Asked him to do a lot. He\u2019s improved a lot since we got him last year.\u201d<\/p>\n Here\u2019s how the Sharks lined up at morning skate:<\/p>\n Smith-Celebrini-Toffoli Orlov-Liljegren And on the power play:<\/p>\n PP1: Orlov-Celebrini-Smith-Wennberg-Toffoli Warsofsky didn’t rule out Sherwood for Colorado, so we continue to be on Sherwood Watch for the last game before the Olympic break<\/p>\n \u2014 Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) February 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Celebrini, on losing his Vancouver buddy Vincent Iorio to waivers: “It’s tough. I know our roster and the numbers we have, it’s tough\u2026He\u2019s a hell of player, that\u2019s why he got picked up.”<\/p>\n \u2014 Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) February 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Chicago Blackhawks (21-25-9)<\/p>\n
Eklund-Wennberg-Graf
Regenda-Misa-Kurashev
Goodrow-Gaudette-Reaves<\/p>\n
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PP2: Liljegren-Eklund-Misa-Kurashev-Regenda<\/p>\n