Philipp Kurashev Finds New Life in San Jose: “So Much Joy in Our Room”
CHICAGO - Philipp Kurashev didn’t say much about his final season in Chicago, but he didn’t have to. The contrast between then and now is written all over his game - and his face.
Now with the San Jose Sharks, Kurashev is playing meaningful hockey again. The Sharks are in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race, and when healthy, he’s been a regular contributor. With 15 points in 32 games, he’s already surpassed his total from last season - a year that ended with him scratched in 10 of the Blackhawks’ final 19 games.
“It was pretty hard a year for me and for the team, of course,” Kurashev said before Monday night’s game at the United Center, his first back in Chicago since signing with San Jose. “But I think just this year, it’s been such a different experience, and I’ve really enjoyed it so far. The way we are with each other, it’s so positive and so much joy in our room.”
That joy has translated into results. The Sharks are 27-22-4 and pushing for a playoff spot. For Kurashev, who signed a one-year, $1.2 million deal on the opening day of free agency after the Blackhawks declined to tender him a qualifying offer, it’s a fresh start that’s already paying dividends.
A fourth-round pick by Chicago in 2018, Kurashev played 317 games with the Blackhawks and totaled 130 points. His breakout came in 2023-24 when he found chemistry with rookie phenom Connor Bedard, racking up 54 points in 75 games and logging over 19 minutes a night. But things unraveled quickly the following season.
After a sluggish 8-16-2 start, head coach Brad Richardson was fired in early December 2024 and replaced on an interim basis by Anders Sorensen. From that point on, Kurashev’s minutes dropped dramatically - by more than five per game - and so did his production. He tallied just nine points in his final 31 games with Chicago and found himself regularly in the press box.
“It’s hard when we were out (of playoff contention) so early, right?” Kurashev said.
“Then it (gets) harder and things like that. A lot goes into it.
You can’t compare this year and last year. It’s a completely different situation.”
That difference was on display again Saturday when Kurashev returned to the Sharks’ lineup after missing 19 games with an upper-body injury. He logged 13:33 of ice time and blocked two shots against Calgary, though a late turnover at the Flames’ blue line led to a delay of game penalty that hurt San Jose’s comeback chances in a narrow 3-2 loss.
Still, the Sharks are counting on Kurashev down the stretch. He skated Monday night on a line with Michael Misa and Pavol Regenda, as San Jose looked to snap a two-game skid and climb back into a playoff spot. They entered the night just two points out.
And yes, there’s a little extra motivation when returning to face the team that let you walk.
“100 percent,” Kurashev said when asked if he carries a chip on his shoulder. “But I don’t think like this.
It’s a really important game for us. We have to get the win.
We know it’s the time now that we need every point we can get, and that’s what the focus is on.”
Sharks Tweak Lineup Ahead of Key Matchup in Chicago
Looking to right the ship after back-to-back losses to Edmonton and Calgary, the Sharks made a few notable lineup changes for Monday’s game.
On defense, Timothy Liljegren drew in for John Klingberg, who’s struggled with puck management - a lingering issue this season. Klingberg had two of San Jose’s 18 giveaways in the loss to the Flames and was last scratched back on Nov. 26.
“He does some good things with the puck,” head coach David Warsofsky said of Klingberg. “But when we struggle to execute and break out pucks, we can’t transition our game.”
Up front, Pavol Regenda replaced Zack Ostapchuk on the third line. Ostapchuk, who’s been a steady fourth-line center since being acquired from Ottawa last March, is getting a breather after a stretch of heavy usage. He’s won 52.4% of his faceoffs this season and chipped in three goals and an assist since mid-December.
“He’s been playing some good hockey,” Warsofsky said. “This is more of a reset. He’s improved since we got him last year.”
Yaroslav Askarov got the start in goal - his third in four games on this road trip - as the Sharks continue to lean on the young netminder in key spots.
Sherwood Nearing Sharks Debut
There’s more help potentially on the way.
Forward Kiefer Sherwood, acquired from the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 19, participated in the morning skate at United Center and was set to be evaluated afterward. If all goes well, he could make his Sharks debut Wednesday against Colorado.
Sherwood hasn’t played since Jan. 10 due to an upper-body injury but was having a strong season with Vancouver, scoring 17 goals in 44 games.
“I think everyone’s excited to get him back,” said rookie forward Will Smith. “We traded for him for a reason, and he’s been awesome with us so far, so we’re really excited to get him back.”
With the Sharks already at the 23-player limit, a roster move will be necessary to activate Sherwood. But there’s no doubt the team is eager to see what he can bring as the playoff race heats up.
Projected Sharks Lines vs. Blackhawks:
Forwards:
- Smith - Celebrini - Toffoli
- Eklund - Wennberg - Graf
- Regenda - Misa - Kurashev
- Goodrow - Gaudette - Reaves
Defense:
- Orlov - Liljegren
- Ferraro - Mukhamadullin
- Dickinson - Desharnais
Goalie:
- Yaroslav Askarov
With the Western Conference standings as tight as they are, every shift matters - and for Philipp Kurashev, every shift is another chance to prove he belongs right where he is.