Sam Lafferty returns to the Chicago Blackhawks—can grit and familiarity spark the rebuild?

The Chicago Blackhawks are staying quiet at the top of the free-agent board this offseason, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t making moves. On July 18, the franchise made a familiar call, acquiring forward Sam Lafferty from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick.

It marks Lafferty’s third return to the Blackhawks and a strategic move aimed at injecting veteran energy into Chicago’s evolving bottom six. While Lafferty’s 2024–25 campaign in Buffalo was one to forget, his track record in previous years suggests he could still be a valuable contributor as the Blackhawks continue to rebuild around their young core, including rising star Connor Bedard.

Is Sam Lafferty the answer to Chicago’s depth problem?

Sam Lafferty's journey with the Chicago Blackhawks has come full circle—again. His return to the Windy City this July wasn’t the first time the team had brought him back. In fact, this marks the third time the Original Six franchise has traded for the high-motor forward.Back in the 2023–24 offseason, the Blackhawks acquired Lafferty’s signing rights from the Vancouver Canucks, in a deal that also brought in Ilya Mikheyev and a 2027 second-round pick. But when contract negotiations failed to produce a deal before July 1, 2024, Lafferty hit the open market. The Buffalo Sabres picked him up as a free agent—but that partnership didn’t last long.In Buffalo, the 6-foot-2 forward struggled to establish a consistent role.

He registered just four goals and three assists in 60 games, finishing with a minus-15 rating during the 2024–25 season. With minimal offensive output and an unclear role, his time with the Sabres came to a quiet end—clearing the path for Chicago to pounce again.

The upside? There’s evidence Lafferty can still be a meaningful piece in the right setting. Back in 2023–24 with Vancouver, he posted a career-best 13 goals and added 24 points in 79 games.

The year before that, he split the season between Toronto and Chicago, racking up 27 points over 70 games. Those numbers—combined with his physical style of play—make him a potentially valuable depth forward as the Blackhawks continue shaping a new team identity.And there’s more to that identity than veteran grit.

Connor Bedard’s breakout season sets the tone for Chicago Blackhawks’ rebuild

Connor Bedard, the cornerstone of Chicago’s future, continues to trend upward. The 19-year-old just wrapped up a stellar sophomore season in the NHL, logging career highs with 23 goals, 44 assists, and 67 points across all 82 games in 2024–25.

His emergence has given the Blackhawks a true franchise centerpiece—and a clear direction.By surrounding Bedard with players like Lafferty, who brings edge and experience, the Blackhawks are working toward a more balanced, competitive lineup. While not a headline-grabbing acquisition, Lafferty’s return is about trust, culture, and known value—something a young team can benefit from.The Chicago Blackhawks’ trade for Sam Lafferty on July 18 might not break the internet, but it fits the franchise's slow-build approach. If Lafferty regains his offensive form and continues his hard-nosed style, this low-cost move could quietly pay off. In a rebuilding phase anchored by Connor Bedard’s ascent, every smart supporting piece matters—and Chicago’s bet on Lafferty, for the third time, shows they believe he still has more to give.Also Read: Winnipeg Jets sign Gabriel Vilardi to $45M deal—blockbuster trade pays off after breakout NHL season