Philipp Kurashev’s NHL future in question, Swiss report links him to a Lugano fallback

San Jose Sharks forward Philipp Kurashev is at the center of a new offseason storyline after Swiss outlet Contropiede reported that the Swiss winger has an agreement with HC Lugano that would bring him home if he cannot find a way to extend his NHL career. The report, amplified by Yahoo Sports on Monday, frames the potential return as a safeguard, not a confirmed departure, and it emphasizes that Kurashev still wants to keep pushing for NHL opportunities first.

Contropiede, which focuses heavily on Lugano, laid out the concept in an article published May 29. It said Lugano has been making its roster plans for upcoming seasons and that, based on its information, there is “an agreement” between the club and Kurashev. The same piece adds that Kurashev is still seeking a new NHL deal and that if that fails, the path back to Switzerland, particularly Lugano, appears “already drawn.”

Kurashev’s connection to Lugano is not hypothetical. During the North America schedule disruptions tied to the COVID-19 pandemic, he played for Lugano in Switzerland’s National League. Swiss reports have described his time there as 13 league matches that produced nine assists.

From the Sharks’ perspective, the timing matters because San Jose is in a sustained development phase that puts premium value on roster spots and contract flexibility. has characterized the Sharks’ approach as retooling with an emphasis on a younger core, and team messaging in 2025-26 has repeatedly referenced the importance of building around younger players while managing who fits the next stage. In that environment, a player who can be viewed as either a depth contributor or a potential bridge option becomes a difficult decision if a second NHL opportunity is not there.

Kurashev has NHL experience that gives him a credible case in free agency negotiations. The Sharks previously signed him to a one-year, $1.2 million contract, an announcement dated July 1, 2025. That release lists him at 25 years old, describes 317 NHL games with Chicago and 130 points in that span at the time of signing, and notes a breakout season in 2023-24 with 54 points in 75 games. Those details make it clear that a return to the NHL was realistic on paper, even as the Swiss reporting now suggests the league path may be narrowing.

Still, the Lugano angle comes with caveats. Contropiede’s article expressly discusses uncertainty and says additional clarity would come later, adding to the sense that this is conditional planning rather than a completed transaction. For fans, the key watch items are whether San Jose pursues a new agreement with Kurashev, whether Kurashev draws interest from other NHL clubs, and whether Switzerland’s league timetable or Lugano roster needs accelerate the decision.