While the Chicago Blackhawks have had a fairly quiet offseason, they’ve still made a few noteworthy moves—one being the return of a familiar face: Sam Lafferty.
Chicago reacquired Lafferty from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Remarkably, this is the third time the Blackhawks have traded for him, a clear sign they still see potential in the 29-year-old forward.
Last offseason, Chicago had already acquired Lafferty’s signing rights from the Vancouver Canucks in a deal that also included Ilya Mikheyev and a 2027 second-round pick. However, the Blackhawks couldn’t come to terms with Lafferty before July 1, allowing him to hit free agency and ultimately sign with Buffalo.
Lafferty’s lone year with the Sabres was disappointing—he managed just four goals and three assists over 60 games, finishing with a minus-15 rating. With limited production and little offensive impact, it wasn’t surprising to see Buffalo move on.
Now back in Chicago, Lafferty will aim to rediscover his form in a more comfortable setting. There’s reason to believe he can bounce back. In 2023–24 with Vancouver, he posted a career-high 13 goals and totaled 24 points in 79 games. That came after a solid 2022–23 season where he notched a career-best 27 points across 70 games split between the Blackhawks and Maple Leafs.
Those glimpses of offensive upside suggest that, if used effectively, Lafferty could provide quality depth scoring. If he can rekindle his scoring touch and continue bringing his trademark physicality, he could be a key contributor in Chicago’s bottom-six forward group as the 2025–26 season approaches. The Blackhawks will be watching closely to see if this latest reunion pays off.
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