Philipp Kurashev got a fresh start for his career after signing a one-year deal worth $1.2 million.
The 25-year-old is trying to find the offensive game he had with the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2023-24 season. That year, Kurashev had 54 points (18 goals, 36 assists) in 75 games.
Kurashev’s offensive game disappeared last season. He couldn’t stick on a line with top Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard and only appeared in 51 games. In those 51 games, the Sharks forward scored just seven goals and seven assists.
Unlike last season, the Sharks deployed Kurashev as a center in his preseason debut rather than on the wing. He finished with 18:25 minutes of ice time and was on a line with Jeff Skinner and Will Smith. Despite not scoring a point, the centerman was creating dangerous chances all night.
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He didn’t score a point on Skinner’s goal, but he fed Smith the lead pass up the ice to create the odd-man rush. Plays like this get rewarded with ice time and eventually points.
San Jose Sharks head coach also rewarded the 25-year-old with a letter on his jersey. Tyler Toffoli and Nick Leddy, two long-time NHL vets, expectantly had an ‘A’, while Kurashev is a bit more surprising.
Along with Skinner, the Sharks also dressed John Klingberg. Both players have a lot of NHL experience, but neither got the nod to be the third ‘A’ during Sunday’s preseason win.
“He was good. It’s nice that he can play the wing and play the middle,” Warsofsky said postgame. “[He] played with the puck, trying to make plays, did some good things.”
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With Mario Ferraro, Alex Wennberg, and Barclay Goodrow not dressed, Toffoli was the only alternate captain dressed on Sunday who wore a letter last season. While Kurashev likely won’t have an official captain role with the Sharks, it should mean something that he got one in his first unofficial game.
Kurashev is healthy and ready to contribute to the Sharks in any role
Over the summer, Kurashev told reporters that during the 2024 off-season, he wasn’t able to get full training in due ot an injury.
Now fully recovered, the San Jose Sharks forward wants to be an impactful contributor for his new team.
“First of all, it was to get 100% healthy again. It was a lot of that at the start,” Kurashev said about his summer. “Then, after it’s the usual things. You want to get stronger, faster, and work on the little skills that are going to make the difference at the end. I feel like I had a great summer, and I feel ready to go.”
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The weak point in Kurashev’s game has been the defensive side, something Warsofsky says is needed to stay in his lineups. Even in his best offensive season, Kurashev finished a woeful -44. The -44 was his career worst, which is surprising given the offensive numbers he put up.
“You look at what you did last year, and where you can improve. It’s little plays in the O-zone or D-zone. Defensive stuff, [like] stick battles,” Kurashev said. “It’s more small things. In general, you’re working on your skating and your conditioning, everything like that. It’s a long summer, so you have a lot of days where you can focus on different things.”
The Swiss forward hopes his play with the Sharks can land him on the Swiss Olympic team.
“That would be a dream come true,” Kurashev said. “I will work as hard as I can to get a roster spot. That’s definitely in my mind. I want to make that team.”
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It’s unclear where Kurashev will fit into the Sharks’ lineup, but his first preseason action can be characterized as very successful.
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