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4 Blackhawks on Chopping Block After Luke Richardson Firing

After head coach Luke Richardson was fired on Thursday, one of these four Blackhawks could be the next name on the chopping block in Chicago.

By Devon Platana

Recently fired Chicago Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson looks on in the third period against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena.
Recently fired Chicago Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson looks on in the third period against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. / Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
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Change has finally come to the Windy City following the Chicago Blackhawks' putrid start to the 2024-25 NHL season.

With an 8-16-2 record through 26 games, the Blackhawks announced on Thursday that they have fired head coach Luke Richardson, first reported by NHL insider Frank Seravalli. The coaching change was a long time coming as Chicago only went 57-118-15 (33.9%) since Richardson took over at the start of the 2022-23 campaign.

Even though Anders Sorensen has now been promoted to interim head coach, the Blackhawks might not be done with shaking things up just yet. If the team continues to perform under the new bench boss' watch, more changes could be coming to the roster sooner rather than later.

With that in mind, here are four Blackhawks who are on the chopping block following Richardson's firing.

1. Philipp Kurashev, C/RW

Blackhawks fans had high expectations for Philipp Kurashev this season after he broke out during the 2022-23 campaign. Despite missing seven games due to injury, the ex-2018 fourth-rounder exceeded expectations by racking up 18 goals and 36 assists for a total of 54 points — nearly as many as he had in the three previous seasons combined (62).

Instead of picking up from where he left off, though, the 25-year-old forward has left fans wondering if last season's showing was an anomaly.

Through his first 23 appearances this season, Kurashev has only mustered up three goals and two assists while tallying a team-worst minus-21 plus/minus rating. If that isn't bad enough, Chicago's goalies only own a .865 save percentage when he's on the ice, highlighting how he hurts the team on both sides of the puck.

Kurashev is still young enough to turn his career around, but that might not happen with the Blackhawks. He's set to become a restricted free agent in the summer, meaning general manager Kyle Davidson could decide to trade Kurashev or choose not to give him a qualifying offer if he can't prove his value to the franchise down the stretch.

If the struggling winger doesn't quickly figure out how to turn things around, his time with the Blackhawks could end sooner rather than later.

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