The San Jose Sharks and Kurtis Gabriel have agreed on a one-year contract worth $700,000 on the NHL level and $175,000 in the minors.
Congratulations to Kurtis Gabriel on signing 1 year contract with San Jose Sharks! #WeAreGoldStar! pic.twitter.com/agxrfadslr
— Dan Milstein-Hockey (@HockeyAgent1) November 2, 2020
Kurtis Gabriel Signs With San Jose
The 27-year old is entering his fourth season in the NHL. He was originally drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the third round with the 81st pick in the 2013 NHL Draft. Gabriel spent a few seasons with the Wild before signing a contract with the New Jersey Devils. Just like with the Wild he split time during the 2018-19 season with the Devils and their American League affiliate in Binghamton. Last season, Gabriel was part of the Philadelphia Flyers organization playing the entire season in the minors. With the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Gabriel played in 53 games recording nine points (five goals and four assists). For his career in the NHL, Gabriel played in 38 games recording five points (two goals and three assists) with 98 penalty minutes.
Going Forward
For the Sharks, this is a depth signing. Gabriel is a guy that can play on the fourth line but can go to the minors if needed. Having a player like this in the minor leagues helps those young players in the system. Gabriel is not being brought in to score goals. He is there to be an enforcer but has shown the ability to get points when put in the right situation. One of his biggest critiques is his skating. However, when Gabriel brings something to a team a lot of guys don’t and that is those intangibles you can’t find anywhere else. He brings a toughness and a physicality that a team lacks. When he hits a player on the ice, he leaves his presence. Gabriel has good hands and very defensively responsible in his own end. That is the Sharks signed him.
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