The Chicago Blackhawks made significant offseason changes, adding several new players to support 2023 first overall draft pick Connor Bedard. While this strategy may not guarantee a playoff berth this season, the goal is for the team to be moving in that direction soon.
However, as they prepare for their game against the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night, the Blackhawks are anticipated to make a surprising roster decision.
Head coach Luke Richardson indicated that forward Philipp Kurashev is likely to be a healthy scratch due to an underwhelming performance in the recent loss against the Sabres, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times.
“Kurashev just wasn’t physical in individual battles to secure the puck,” Richardson noted. “He was positioned incorrectly, which can stem from a subconscious attempt to take the puck and go on offense rather than playing properly. He didn’t have much to argue about.”
Richardson added, “I’m not saying he was solely to blame, but he’s someone I’ve come to rely on. If he plays like he did last game, it’s hard for me to continue depending on him. I believe he’ll take this as a wake-up call and improve.”
When asked if some players are on short notice, Richardson emphasized that a player’s performance determines their standing.
“I don’t see it as my leash,” he clarified. “It’s really their own leash. They need to view it that way.”
Despite scoring 54 points last season, Kurashev’s potential scratch serves as a clear message to the Blackhawks that a losing mentality will not be tolerated going forward.
Now in his fifth season with the Blackhawks, Kurashev has managed only one goal in the six games played this season.
