Chicago Blackhawks Off-Season Moves
The Chicago Blackhawks are making some strategic moves in a relatively calm off-season, one of which includes reacquiring forward Sam Lafferty from the Buffalo Sabres. In exchange for a sixth-round draft pick in 2026, the Original Six franchise has brought Lafferty back into the fold.
This marks the third time the organization has sought Lafferty’s skills, having previously traded for his signing rights along with forward Ilya Mikheyev and a second-round selection in 2027 from the Vancouver Canucks last off-season. However, after failing to renegotiate a contract before July 1 of last year, Lafferty found himself as an unrestricted free agent and subsequently signed with the Sabres.
Performance and Potential
The decision by the Sabres to part ways with Lafferty isn’t entirely unexpected, given his challenging performance during the 2024-25 season. Standing at 6-foot-2, he struggled to make an impact, finishing with just four goals, three assists, and a troubling minus-15 rating across 60 games.
Despite these difficulties, Lafferty has a track record that suggests he could rebound in Chicago. Back in the 2023-24 season with the Canucks, he achieved a personal best of 13 goals and 24 points over 79 games. Additionally, during the 2022-23 season, which he split between the Blackhawks and the Toronto Maple Leafs, he recorded 12 goals and a career-high 27 points in 70 games. If Lafferty can recapture some of that offensive potency and maintain his physical style, he could be an invaluable asset to the Blackhawks’ lower lines next season and could be primed for a comeback.
Spotlight on Connor Bedard
Meanwhile, the spotlight also shines brightly on Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard, who has garnered significant attention following a stellar second season in the NHL. In the 2024-25 season, Bedard, just 19 years old, played 82 games and notched impressive career highs with 23 goals, 44 assists, and a total of 67 points.
His performance raises high hopes for his future with the Blackhawks, indicating a promising trajectory for the young forward as he continues to develop within this Original Six franchise.
