The Chicago Blackhawks have reacquired veteran forward Sam Lafferty for the third time since Kyle Davidson took over as general manager, marking the latest move in a series of trades involving the player. This summer’s addition continues a fascinating pattern of transactions that have repeatedly brought Lafferty back to the Blackhawks roster through a series of intricate deals.

Exploring the series of trades reveals how Lafferty’s path led him back to Chicago, underlining the strategic maneuvering behind these moves in the NHL. The story begins several years ago and showcases multiple branches of team negotiations and draft pick exchanges.

Tracing the Origins of the Trade Involving Sam Lafferty

The trade saga starts at the 2017 NHL Draft when the Blackhawks swapped picks with the Dallas Stars. Dallas used this acquired pick to draft their star goaltender Jake Oettinger, a fact Chicago fans often mention whenever the teams meet. However, it took two additional trades after that initial swap for Lafferty to make his first appearance with Chicago.

When Lafferty first arrived in Chicago, the deal eventually resulted in the Blackhawks acquiring forward prospect Václav Nestrašil, who was selected 25th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft. This pick came from Toronto as part of the 2023 trade that sent Lafferty and Jake McCabe to the Leafs.

There is a notable side transaction in this web of trades: a fifth-round draft pick originally obtained from Nashville was sent to Toronto as part of the same 2024 NHL Draft dealings. That pick reached Chicago in a separate transaction involving Anthony Beauvillier, who spent three months with the Blackhawks before being traded to the Leafs.

Recent Moves and Future Draft Picks Shaping the Trade Tree

This summer, the Blackhawks once again brought Lafferty back, this time at the cost of a sixth-round pick in the 2026 draft. Beyond this latest acquisition, the organization holds rights to two more future draft picks related to trades involving Lafferty: Toronto’s second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and Vancouver’s second-round pick in 2027. The latter came as part of the deal that included Lafferty’s rights alongside Ilya Mikheyev in the summer of 2024.

With these ongoing exchanges, the Blackhawks’ dealings around Sam Lafferty continue to evolve. The full extent of this complex trade network remains to be seen, especially as the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline approaches, when further moves could expand the intricate “trade tree” surrounding Lafferty’s acquisitions.