The Chicago Blackhawks quickly address their need for veteran sandpaper in the bottom six in the aftermath of Jujhar Khaira’s injury, acquiring Kurtis Gabriel from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for career minor-league defenseman Chad Krys on Thursday afternoon.
The Blackhawks have acquired forward Kurtis Gabriel from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for defenseman Chad Krys. pic.twitter.com/B0Ls9BnLYd
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) December 9, 2021
Gabriel is a veteran of 49 NHL games, making stops with the Minnesota Wild, New Jersey Devils and San Jose Sharks, posting two goals and three assists to go along with 153 penalty minutes. Gabriel has also racked up 332 games in the AHL since 2014, recording 36 goals, 32 assists and a whopping 555 penalty minutes.
Gabriel has spent the entirety of his game action this season with the Toronto Marlies, accumulating one goal, one assist and 36 penalty minutes in 13 games played.
The acquisition comes at the relatively minor cost of Rockford IceHogs blueliner Chad Krys, once a heralded prospect in the Blackhawks’ system.
Since being drafted in the second round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Krys has largely stalled in his development, with much of his pro career thus far being derailed by injuries. Because of these setbacks, Krys had been passed by a number of other defensemen on the organizational depth chart.
Since turning pro in 2019, Krys has played in just 64 contests for the IceHogs, tallying two goals and 13 assists.