The Chicago Blackhawks re-acquired Sam Lafferty from the Buffalo Sabres on July 1, aiming to strengthen their roster during an otherwise quiet summer. The move represents Lafferty’s second full stint with the Blackhawks, with the club hoping his familiarity and playing style can help complement the ongoing rebuild. General manager Kyle Davidson, who originally brought Lafferty to Chicago in 2022, sought to bring back a player he knows well, emphasizing the balance between veteran experience and developing prospects.
Tracing Lafferty’s Journey Through Chicago and Beyond
While this marks Lafferty’s third time with the team, his initial two stints were more extended and impactful than his brief early experience. Davidson first acquired him in January 2022 in exchange for Alex Nylander. Lafferty made an immediate impression with strong defensive play and speed, earning a two-year extension later that year. Davidson noted at the time,
Sam’s speed and up-tempo style is the brand of hockey we hope to see the team play over the coming years.
—Kyle Davidson, General Manager
During the 2022-23 season, Lafferty delivered his best performance yet, posting 21 points in 51 games and emerging as an effective penalty killer and one of the NHL leaders in short-handed goals. His development raised expectations, with some viewing him as a valuable asset capable of generating substantial trade value. However, as the Blackhawks underwent a significant roster overhaul at the 2023 trade deadline, Lafferty was packaged alongside Jake McCabe and sent to the Toronto Maple Leafs for draft picks and prospects.
This trade reflected the team’s need for future assets and draft capital, particularly with the intent to pursue top prospects like Connor Bedard. Davidson acknowledged the difficult decision, implying that letting Lafferty go was necessary to meet the organization’s longer-term goals.
Despite this, Davidson attempted to regain Lafferty’s services last summer by trading for him from the Vancouver Canucks. The Blackhawks were hopeful they could sign him to a new contract, but Lafferty instead agreed to a two-year, $4 million deal with the Sabres. His tenure in Buffalo, however, fell short of expectations. He recorded only seven points in 60 games, with injury troubles, inconsistent play, and an unclear role limiting his impact. As Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic noted, these factors ultimately made him expendable in Buffalo’s rebuild.
Chicago’s July trade, sending a 2026 sixth-round pick for Lafferty, signals a renewed belief in his potential to contribute to the team’s evolution.
Analyzing Lafferty’s Role and Value Within the Current Blackhawks Lineup
The Blackhawks’ rebuild has seen varied success balancing veterans and developing young talent. Insider Elliotte Friedman recently commented on the club’s struggles last year with their veteran players, saying they
weren’t exactly thrilled with how things went last year with their vets.
—Elliotte Friedman, Hockey Insider
In contrast, Lafferty’s return provides the team with a known quantity, filling a valuable bottom-six forward role while maintaining lineup flexibility. Speaking on July 1, Davidson expressed confidence in Lafferty’s fit:
Trading for Sam this morning- who we know quite well and understand his versatility and what he brings to a lineup, what his strengths are, and how he can help out the bottom part of our lineup. We’re happy to bring him back and bring another veteran that we understand back into the fold.
—Kyle Davidson, General Manager
At 30 years old with one season remaining on his contract, Lafferty is not viewed as a long-term cornerstone but rather a steady presence who does not hinder the development of younger players. Despite his struggles in Buffalo, statisticians like Justin Alpert of Sabres.com highlighted positive signs: Lafferty achieved the second-best faceoff percentage on the Sabres roster at 50.6% and ranked fourth in hits per 60 minutes with 9.01.
Potential Impact and Expectations for Lafferty’s Second Full Tenure in Chicago
The Blackhawks will likely rely on Lafferty’s speed, energy, and penalty-killing ability. His previous success alongside teammate Jason Dickinson could be revisited as the team looks for chemistry and reliable, versatile forwards who can contribute defensively and on special teams. Lafferty’s proficiency in winning faceoffs and physical play align with the style General Manager Davidson envisions for the team’s future.
While this signing does not represent a blockbuster acquisition, it does offer a secure option for bringing veteran leadership and game experience to a club filled with young prospects. Whether Lafferty can return to the 21-point pace he set in the 2022-23 season remains to be seen. However, if he manages to provide consistent effort and contribute the small but crucial elements—like faceoff wins and effective penalty killing—Chicago may well consider his return a success as the rebuilding process continues.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How much does Sam Lafferty make?
A. For the 2024-25 season, Sam Lafferty has a two-year deal worth $4 million. His cap hit is $2 million annually with the Chicago Blackhawks.