NHL News: Blackhawks Acquire Sam Lafferty From Sabres

The Chicago Blackhawks have added to their forward group, as they have acquired Sam Lafferty from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick.

We have acquired a sixth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for forward Sam Lafferty.

Details → https://t.co/2raCl6T13r pic.twitter.com/8W1f2PWsbc
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) July 1, 2025

Lafferty, 30, is a player who the Blackhawks already know very well. He spent the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons with the Blackhawks, where he posted 15 goals, 17 assists, 32 points, 197 hits, and a minus-26 rating in 97 games. Now, he will once again be a Blackhawk following this trade.

The Sabres deciding to trade Lafferty is not particularly surprising, as he struggled to find his fit with the Atlantic Division club this season. In 60 games on the campaign, he recorded four goals, three assists, seven points, 89 hits, and a minus-15 rating.

When looking at the Blackhawks' roster, Lafferty should give their bottom six a bit of a boost if he bounces back next season. In addition, he will give them another experienced NHLer to help mentor their younger players as they continue their rebuild.

In 349 career games over six season split between the Pittsburgh Penguins, Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, and Sabres, Lafferty has posted 40 goals, 50 assists, 90 points, and 726 hits.