Main Photo: James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Blackhawks announced that they have traded forward Sam Lafferty and defenceman Jake McCabe to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Hawks will also be retaining 50% of McCabe’s salary and sending two conditional picks Toronto’s way. In return, Toronto is sending a first in 2025, a second in 2026 and other pieces back.
We’ve acquired Jake McCabe, Sam Lafferty, a conditional 5th round pick in 2024 and a conditional 5th round pick in 2025 from Chicago in exchange for a conditional 2025 1st round pick, 2026 2nd round pick, Joey Anderson and Pavel Gogolev
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 27, 2023
Jake McCabe and Sam Lafferty Traded by the Chicago Blackhawks
After shooting up in recent trade speculation, Sam Lafferty has been traded by the Chicago Blackhawks. Lafferty was originally drafted in the fourth round of the 2014 NHL Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins. They traded Lafferty to the Blackhawks in exchange for Alexander Nylander in January of 2022. The Blackhawks later signed Lafferty to a two-year contract in April of 2022. Lafferty’s two-year deal carries a $1.15 million cap hit per year. In 45 games this season with the Blackhawks, Lafferty has put up career highs in eight goals and 11 assists. While Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and Max Domi occupied the majority of the Blackhawks trade talk, Lafferty’s breakout season put his name on the list as the season moved along.
What It Means
Sam Lafferty is a very affordable and serviceable depth forward. At age 27 with above-average size and great speed, Lafferty should be an asset on the third or fourth line. With a few years of NHL experience and a breakout season this year points-wise, Lafferty is showing why he can contribute as an effective depth forward. Not only can Lafferty contribute to chip-in scoring in a bottom-six role and bring energy and speed, but he also brings a level of versatility. He can play on either wing or centre. He also is a solid penalty killer and is 53.54% on faceoffs in 45 games. Having a player that can use his size and speed effectively like Lafferty could be very beneficial.
While the Blackhawks would have liked to keep a player like Lafferty through their rebuild, their decision to move on fetches a return on a player whose value is likely at its highest. With Lafferty carrying an affordable cap hit with decent production for a depth forward, his return for the Blackhawks will continue their forward march in gathering future assets while they rebuild.
Getting McCabe is also a huge boost. McCabe will add some more depth on either side of the blueline. Additionally, he will be a key piece moving forward. With the 50% retention, means two additional years Toronto has him locked up at $2 million. That is great value for what he provides.
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