The Chicago Blackhawks on Friday agreed to extensions with forward Philipp Kurashev and defenseman Caleb Jones.
The Hawks have engaged in a roster reconstruction this summer, and many of last season’s holdovers — in Chicago and Rockford — won’t return this season.
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But the team was impressed enough by Kurashev’s and Jones’ development to keep the restricted free agents (Jones had arbitration rights) around for at least one more season.
Jones, the 25-year-old brother of fellow Hawks defenseman Seth Jones, agreed to a one-year extension with a cap hit of $1.35 million.
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Jones enters his fifth season after posting career highs in goals (five) and assists (10) last season. Jones’ five goals tied his brother for the most among Hawks defensemen.
Jones’ season was marked by inconsistency, especially defensively. He could play the hero on occasion but had several instances in which a lapse ended up in the Hawks’ net.
Then-interim coach Derek King described the 6-foot-1 Jones as someone whom the Hawks can further develop.
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“He can play, he can play at this level,” King said. “It’s something we need, guys who can skate pucks out and guys who can create.”
Kurashev, 22, had six goals and 15 assists in 67 games last season — two goals and three assists came on the power play.
The 6-foot, 190-pound wing missed four games in early December when he was sent down to the IceHogs, but he returned to post three goals and three assists in the next 12 games, including a game-winner Jan. 13 against the Montreal Canadiens.
General manager Kyle Davidson said in May that Kurashev “had his ups and downs.”
“But the thing I really liked about Phil this year is the way he responded when we spoke to him,” Davidson said. “For a lot of these young players, it’s about finding consistency and bringing that consistent effort and impact every single night to establish yourself as a full-time NHL player.”
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Kurashev in April told the Tribune the offseason would be a “really big summer for me.”
“Now I experienced a full NHL season,” he said. “The one before was kind of short and now I know exactly what it takes. I’m trying to work on areas in my game that can help me become the player I want to become.”