Philipp Kurashev Signs With Lausanne HC

A former fourth-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks is headed home. According to a team announcement, forward Philipp Kurashev has signed a one-year deal with the NL’s Lausanne HC. Kurashev’s new contract includes an NHL opt-out clause.

Kurashev’s North American professional career started in 2018 when the Blackhawks selected him with the 120th pick in that summer’s draft. Although he grew up in Switzerland, Kurashev was playing for the QMJHL’s Québec Remparts, scoring 19 goals and 60 points in 59 games during his draft season.

Kurashev has shown elite offensive skills at times, but injuries and poor defensive play have significantly hindered his performance throughout his career. In his six-year NHL career, Kurashev appeared in 70 or more games twice. His highlight season was in 2023-24 when he scored 18 goals and 54 points in 75 games for the Blackhaws while averaging 19:01 of ice time per game.

Still, his flaws were very apparent. Despite the high scoring totals, Kurashev finished with a -44 rating, tied for second-lowest in the league. Although some of that can be attributed to playing on a bad Chicago team, Kurashev also finished with a dismal 42.7% CorsiFor and 87.6% on-ice SV% at even strength. He spent another year with the Blackhawks before they non-tendered him ahead of the 2025-26 season.

Regardless, it didn’t take long for Kurashev to find a new home. The San Jose Sharks signed him to a one-year, $1.2MM contract on the opening day of free agency. He performed mildly better defensively with San Jose, but an upper-body injury in December cost him nearly 20 contests. Kurashev finished the season with seven goals and 20 points in 43 games with a +1 rating. San Jose non-tendered him this past offseason.

Now on Lausanne, Kurashev will play in the Swiss National League for the first time since the 2020-21 campaign. On loan from Chicago, Kurashev registered nine assists in 13 games with HC Lugano.

Fortunately, Kurashev should already be familiar with one of his new teammates after playing for Team Switzerland at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Forward Damien Riat is Lausanne’s captain and played with Kurashev at the Olympics earlier this calendar year.