Richardson: Blackhawks 'need more' from Kurashev
The Chicago Blackhawks are expected to make forward Philipp Kurashev a surprise healthy scratch Tuesday against the Vancouver Canucks, head coach Luke Richardson announced Monday.
"To me, he's a guy that I've gotten used to counting on, and he can't play the way he did the last game for me to continue to count on him like that," Richardson said, per WGN 720's Charlie Roumeliotis. "I know he'll use it as a bit of a wake-up call and be better."
Richardson added: "We just need more from him."
Kurashev enjoyed a breakout year in 2023-24, finishing second on the Blackhawks behind Connor Bedard with 54 points. He played primarily on the wing with Bedard and veteran Nick Foligno, but he's been asked this season to center the second line away from Bedard, and it hasn't gone so well.
The 25-year-old has managed just one goal and zero assists in six games. Kurashev was minus-2 during Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres and is minus-6 on the season.
Andreas Athanasiou centered the second line between Taylor Hall and Tyler Bertuzzi in Kurashev's place during Monday's practice.