Phillip Kurashev has Proven to be a Long Term Fit for the Blackhawks this Season

Phillip Kurashev, a former #120 overall selection by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2018 draft, signed a 2 year extension (worth a total of 4.5 million) and at the time it was looked at as a worth while investment for a player with a lot of talent. Well after 61 games thus far, the Swiss born forward has more than proven his position in the Hawks' lineup moving forward.

Having obtained 7 points over his last 4 games (3 of which were wins) Kurashev has now pasted the 40 point mark on the season (previous high was just 25 points, over 70 games, last season). His pace per 82 games ranges out to a 19 goal / 38 assist season or between a 56 or 57 point season depending how you average it out.

This kind of production can be linked to many things: health, physical and mental maturation, coaching in terms of lineups, or perhaps the ability to seamlessly play with like wise skilled forwards (Connor Bedard). As Chicago's second leading point getter, a closer look says it all:

Between the games that Bedard would miss due to a fractured jaw, injuried on January 5th and returned on February 15th, Kurashev would be depended on for scoring. He would manage to only net 1 goal during that span and only 6 points total. When Bedard returned, Kurashev would have 4 points in the next 3 games. That kind of metric can't be overlooked when thinking about the long term here.

Connor Bedard, now the face of the franchise and perhaps the city of Chicago in terms of sports, is just 18 and appears to be on his way to becoming one of the leagues' elite offense talents. Phillip Kurashev is just 24 years old (will turn 25 just before opening night next season) and is under control next season as well on that 2 year extension. Moreover at the conclusion of next season the Blackhawks will still have RFA rights over the player.

Would it be wise for Kyle Davidson and the Blackhawks to lock up Kurashev to a more lucrative deal as quickly as they can or wait it out until his price becomes that of debate seems to be the question at this point. Either way, a flexible player (can play any one of the forward positions including center) that has proven to have chemistry with your franchise player, isn't likely to move on anytime soon.