Burning Questions For the 2025-26 Season: Philipp Kurashev

With the 2025-26 season now in sight, the plan is to address the burning questions surrounding every player on the roster (or competing for a roster spot). These questions are focused on how the player is expected to contribute to the Sharks this season and what their role will be.

Philipp Kurashev
6'0" 190lbs
26 years old (start of the season)
2018 4th round pick

Last Season

51 games, 7 goals, 7 assists, 13:43 TOI (Chicago Blackhawks)

After a 2023-24 season that saw Kurashev post a career high 54 points, he crashed back to Earth with a total of 14 points in 51 games. His time on ice went from 19:01 to under 14 minutes a night. Kurashev went from playing top six minutes and a spot on the top power play to bottom six minutes and only 20 minutes on the power play.

Kurashev did not receive a qualifying offer from the Blackhawks after the 2024-25 season. He signed a one-year deal with the San Jose Sharks worth $1.2 million on July 1st.

Burning Question

Can Kurashev be a successful reclamation project?

The hope for Mike Grier and the Sharks is that Kurashev wins the final top six spot out of training camp and can reclaim some of his 2023-24 magic. Then, once Michael Misa is ready to be a full-time top six player, Kurashev can either slide into the middle six or become trade fodder for a team looking to add some scoring punch on a cheap contract.

While the Sharks' middle six is very murky heading into training camp, Kurashev will have an opportunity to win a coveted spot playing with either Macklin Celebrini on the top line or Will Smith on line two. Kurashev was at his best in 2023-24, playing with Connor Bedard and soaking up those minutes with a play-driving center. The Sharks (hopefully) have two in Celebrini and Smith to give Kurashev a chance to be a beneficiary.

While the Sharks have taken their fair share of reclamation projects recently (hello Filip Zadina, Klim Kostin, and now Oliver Wahlstrom), Kurashev has a chance to be a successful one because he's been successful in this same situation just a season ago.

Expectations

While Kurashev winning and maintaining a top six role would be ideal, we will most likely see ups and downs from Kurashev. Expecting a 50+ point season from Kurashev is unrealistic, but something similar to Alex Wennberg's 10 goals and 25 assists from last year feels right for Kurashev.

With so many wingers in the Sharks' organization ready to make an impact soon (Igor Chernyshov, Cam Lund, Quentin Musty), how long will the Sharks want to keep Kurashev around when they've invested so much into these young players who have higher ceilings? Even if Kurashev works out this season, will the Sharks want to reinvest? Kurashev feels like a one-and-done with San Jose.