The Chicago Blackhawks had a relatively quiet offseason but made some notable moves. One key transaction involved bringing back Sam Lafferty, whom the original six team acquired from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a six-round draft pick in 2026.
Lafferty seems to be a familiar fit for the Blackhawks, as this marks the third time they’ve acquired him. Previously, the Blackhawks secured Rafferty’s signing rights along with forward Ilya Mikheyev and a 2027 second-round pick from the Vancouver Canucks. However, they couldn’t finalize a contract with Rafferty by July 1st last year, leading him to become an unrestricted free agent and eventually sign with the Sabres.
The Sabres’ decision to part ways with Rafferty this offseason was not unexpected. The 6-foot-2 forward struggled to find his role with Buffalo during the 2024-25 season, managing only four goals, three assists, and a minus-15 rating across 60 games. Overall, it was a tough offensive year for Lafferty, prompting the Blackhawks to bring him back.
Looking at his recent performance, there’s hope that Lafferty can bounce back in Chicago. During the 2023-24 season with the Canucks, he notched a career-best 13 goals and totaled 24 points over 79 games. Prior to that, in the 2022-23 season split between the Blackhawks and Toronto Maple Leafs, he scored 12 goals and earned a career-high 27 points in 70 games. This suggests he could offer solid secondary scoring once again.
If Lafferty can boost his offensive numbers while maintaining his physical playstyle, he could be a valuable asset for the Blackhawks’ bottom six next season. It will be interesting to see if he can meet those expectations.
Meanwhile, Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard has just wrapped up his second NHL season, and the outlook for his future with the original six club looks very promising. The 5-foot-10 forward set new personal bests with 23 goals, 44 assists, and 67 points in 82 games, an impressive feat for a player who was just 19 throughout the 2024-25 campaign.
Fan Take: This offseason move to bring back Sam Lafferty shows the Blackhawks’ commitment to adding depth and experience to their roster. Combined with the rising star Connor Bedard’s rapid development, Chicago could attract renewed attention and hope in the coming seasons, making them a team to watch in the league.
