The Chicago Blackhawks have placed forward Philipp Kurashev on the injured reserve and recalled defenseman Louis Crevier from the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL (as per NHL.com). Kurashev is dealing with a hand injury, and his IR placement is retroactive to February 27th.
Kurashev is having a tough season with just six goals and four assists in 42 games. The timing for him is unfortunate as he will be a restricted free agent on July 1st and has gone from potentially signing a long-term extension to a possible non-tender candidate. A season ago, the Swiss-born center looked like a piece of the Blackhawks core as he posted career highs with 18 goals and 36 assists in 75 games. However, a big drop in his production has been due to his lack of time on the powerplay. Kurashev has gone from 221 minutes of powerplay time last season to just 20 minutes this year and has just one point with the man advantage this season compared to 19 points last year.
The Blackhawks will have an interesting decision to make this summer on Kurashev as they weigh what to do with the talented but inconsistent 25-year-old. His injury likely prevents them from dealing him before the NHL Trade Deadline and it is hard to imagine they let him walk for nothing in the summer.
Crevier returns to the Blackhawks where he has suited up in 23 games this season. The 23-year-old has three goals and an assist this season along with 47 hits and 34 blocked shots. Crevier has logged almost 18 minutes a game at the NHL level this season and Chicago has not done him any favors with their deployment starting him in the defensive zone on 68.9% of his shifts. As you would expect with a young defenseman, this has led to struggles as Crevier has been caved in on his possession numbers (37.8% all situations CF%) and has caused a lot of turnovers (26) as he’s tried to force zone exits while under pressure.
Kurashev should be on waivers.
Doesn’t really matter anymore. he’s a restricted FA after this year and will surely be non tendered and free to sign with anybody. Nothing to gain by letting him loose. It’s all the same.
How about Mrazek, And Lukas Reichel to Seattle for Shane Wright?
Works for me. I have long been saying Reichel needs a change of scenery and could be packaged with another asset for a better draft pick. He’s about to be passed up in the Hawks system soon anyway. But not sure Mrazek will fly as the Hawks have no retention slots left and he has another year at 4 million + left. I was thinking more like Reichel and Donato for something good.
I was just thinking Seattle has a good team, And they desperately need a backup goaltender, I can’t believe the Kraken have less points than Pittsburgh, Perhaps the game has past Bylsma by.
Hawks pound the Kings for 2 impressive wins in a row. They sure seem to be playing better without Jones. Key contributions from Dach, Del Mastro, Reichel and Knight. Play the kids. They don’t know they’re supposed to lose so they don’t care.