NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Blackhawks announced today that they have traded defenseman Chad Krys to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for forward Kurtis Gabriel. Both players have spent the entire 2021-22 season so far in the AHL with the Rockford IceHogs and Toronto Marlies.
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
A former second-round pick by Chicago in 2016, Krys’ professional career never got going like the Blackhawks had expected. In parts of four seasons as a professional, Krys has played in 64 AHL games and recorded just 15 points. Injuries have hindered him most of his professional career, but when healthy, the former Boston University standout did not live up to the offensive expectations that led him to be taken 39th overall by Chicago. Krys has one assist in eight AHL games this season.
Coming to the Blackhawks is another career minor-leaguer in forward Kurtis Gabriel. The former 2013 third-round pick by the Minnesota Wild has skated in just 49 NHL games with two goals and five points. For the majority of his professional career, Gabriel has played in the AHL, skating in 332 games with 36 goals, 68 points, and 555 penalty minutes. Gabriel is expected to join the Blackhawks when they head to Toronto on Saturday. Gabriel has two points in 13 AHL games this season.
Personally, whether he’s in Chicago or Rockford, I’m happy the Blackhawks are bringing in a player like Gabriel, who is very involved in social issues outside of hockey and has done a lot of work to help grow the sport to be more inclusive for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities.
