One breakout and comeback player Blackhawks fans should be impressed with

The Blackhawks may have played a poor third period in last night’s loss to the St. Louis Blues, but one potential breakout player and a comeback candidate enjoyed a stellar outing, and both were responsible for putting goals on the board. 

Philipp Kurashev, one player who I’m excited to see build some chemistry with a few teammates, had an excellent outing, scoring one goal while providing an assist on another score. He ended the game with a plus-1 rating, recorded three shots, and saw nearly 21 minutes of ice time. 

Kurashev was responsible for three giveaways, which is something you don’t want any of your top players to see. But don’t that ruin the fact that he played an excellent game, one in which he should have built momentum. 

Next to Connor Bedard, Kurashev was the one player in Chicago who I followed closely last season, and he outplayed expectations. Scoring and putting up some helpers is the fastest way to build on what was a 54-point, 18-goal season in 2023-24. 

Blackhawks fans should be ultra-excited about one comeback player

Taylor Hall would have been a player to watch build chemistry with Connor Bedard and maybe even Philipp Kurashev last year, but, unfortunately, it didn’t happen because of a knee injury that kept him out all year. But in last night’s loss to St. Louis, Hall looked like someone who you would have never thought missed a lot of time, finishing the game with 18:50 of ice time, two assists, and a plus-1. 

Hall is one of those players I can see sticking around in the Windy City on short-term deals and someone who could be part of some deep playoff runs once the Hawks solidify a solid core of youngsters and a few veterans to supplement them. 

If Kurashev and Hall keep up their solid play, they will be more than fun to watch when you add Bedard, Teuvo Teravainen, and Tyler Bertuzzi to the mix. I’m not saying a breakout season from Kurashev or a comeback campaign from Hall will launch the Hawks into the playoffs, but it will help them put together an encouraging 2024-25 season. 

Last night’s performance from both players, albeit a couple of caveats, should have impressed many in the Hawks fanbase, and giving them even more encouragement that better days are coming.