The Carolina Hurricanes acquired forward Marcus Kruger from the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for a fifth-round pick in 2018, the team announced.

Kruger, 27, had spent his entire NHL career with the Chicago Blackhawks until he was dealt to the Golden Knights on July 2 for future considerations. Kruger's cap hit of $3,083,333 for the next two seasons simply became a luxury the Blackhawks could not afford for a fourth-line center.

Though his career high in points is just 28, Kruger will immediately bring big-game experience and a championship pedigree to one of the NHL's youngest dressing rooms. He was a member of Chicago's 2013 and 2015 Stanley Cup teams, and has 398 regular season games, and 87 playoff games under his belt.

Kruger won't head into the Canes' locker room as a complete stranger, though. Two of his former Blackhawks teammates, Scott Darling and Trevor van Riemsdyk, were also sent to Carolina this offseason. A third, Teuvo Teravainen, was acquired by the Hurricanes last offseason. Raleigh might need to start being known as Chicago-south.

On the ice, the Hurricanes lack a true No. 1 center, so being able to roll out four lines with four trustworthy centermen is crucial to their success.

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