Kurth has made tangible improvements in his game season over season, but the same issue that has plagued him since his draft year continues to plague him: terrible skating. In every other metric, Kurth grades out as a legitimate prospect capable of playing NHL games. His wicked shot, quick hands, and playmaking make him dangerous with the puck, while his effort and physicality are noticeable.

Kurth signed a two-year, entry-level NHL contract beginning with the 2025-26 season with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He will report to the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League and play the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign on an AHL tryout.

The Tampa Bay Lightning drafted Kurth in the sixth round (192nd overall) in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

Coming off a superb NCAA season, Kurth now needs to make literal strides in his skating to have any chance at reaching the NHL. If those improvements come, his toolkit is good enough to handle the rest. Set for his first full season with the Syracuse Crunch, nothing else really matters if his skating remains at the current level. He could be worth keeping an eye on. The chances Kurth manages to improve his skating enough seem unlikely, but should he show progression there, his offensive skills are good enough to put up points in the NHL. -Markus R