Chicago Blackhawks Head Coach Luke Richardson's firing will be accountable for misuse of Philipp Kurashev
The Chicago Blackhawks pulled off a shocking win last night, beating the Minnesota Wild in overtime.
Philipp Kurashev scored the game winning goal. The puck was in the defensive end when the puck was tipped around. It then found Taylor Hall, who then passed it up to Seth Jones, who then passed it up the ice to Kurashev.
Kurashev then raced up the ice and brought it into the offensive zone. He skated a bit to the right and switched to his forehand as Jones charged the net. Kurashev ripped one past Gustavsson, which was an incredible shot.
While it was an incredible shot and Blackhawks fans should be happy, this should send a blaring message to Luke Richardson about how he's handling Kurashev this season.
Richardson and Derek King have some new toys to play with this season, as Davidson added a couple pieces over the offseason. However, the Blackhawks have really yet to have found what works with the lines, as they move them every which way and are always different before the next game.
Philipp Kurashev, unfortunately, has been a victim of that. Not necessarily in the fact that he's getting moved around a lot, but the fact he had a breakout year and the best season of his life, but lost out on top line minutes to the «new kids.» Last year, Kurashev had a TOI average of 19:01. This year, he has an average of 15:48.
Last season he was on the top line alongside Connor Bedard. Both of them had chemistry, and both of them are doing better last season than they are now. Kurashev had 18 goals and 36 assists, tallying up to 54 points in 75 games last campaign. This year, Philipp has four points through 15 games.
That shot last night is Kurashev's true potential. Richardson has done an awful job all year, but this has to be taking the cake. They continue to misuse Kurashev all year long. Plus, Bedard needs some help breaking through right now. Why not get them two back together?
