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Chicago Blackhawks re-acquire a familiar face in a trade: "He's an Interesting addition"

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Jack Sutherland
August 13, 2025 (10:56 PM)

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The Chicago Blackhawks hope that the 3rd time is the charm with Sam Lafferty, who they have now brought back into the fold for the 3rd time in his NHL career.

The Chicago Blackhawks have once again brought Sam Lafferty back into the fold for the 3rd time in his career, acquiring him from the Buffalo Sabres for a 2nd round pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.

Lafferty, who was taken with the 114th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, is now in his 3rd stint in Chicago. He previously played 97 games for Chicago after being traded for Alexander Nylander in 2022.

While he was traded back to the Blackhawks by the Vancouver Canucks last summer, he couldn't come to terms on a new deal with them and would sign with the Sabres. But he only had 7 points last year (4G, 3A).

Per analyst Michael DeRosa of The Hockey News, the addition of Lafferty for the 3rd time is an "interesting" and "low risk" move.

If he can get his offense back to these levels for the Blackhawks while maintaining his heavy style of play, he will end up being a very solid addition to the Blackhawks' bottom six.

Nevertheless, it is going to be very interesting to see what kind of season Lafferty can put together for the Blackhawks in 2025-26. Bringing him back was a low-risk move for Chicago.

So far in his NHL career, Lafferty has 90 points (40G, 50A) in 349 games.

The Blackhawks also traded for Andre Burakovsky

Not only did Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson bring back Lafferty, but he also added championship-winning experience with an earlier trade with the Seattle Kraken.

He traded Joe Veleno, who was acquired in March from the former divisional foe Detroit Red Wings for goaltender Petr Mrazek, to the Kraken for Andre Burakovsky.

Burakovsky has 2 Stanley Cup rings, having won with the Washington Capitals in 2018 and the Colorado Avalanche in 2022.

Previously on Chicago Hockey Insider

Chicago Blackhawks acquire Montreal Canadiens goal-scoring forward in a trade proposal pitch

Transaction underway of a former 15th overall pick and the Chicago Blackhawks are calling

Former Chicago Blackhawks forward remains desperate to find new home in NHL free agency

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AOUT 13 \| 361 ANSWERS Chicago Blackhawks re-acquire a familiar face in a trade: "He's an Interesting addition" Did Chicago make the right call by re-acquiring Sam Lafferty?
Yes	210	58.2 %
No	151	41.8 %
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Chicago Blackhawks re-acquire a familiar face in a trade: "He's an Interesting addition"

The Chicago Blackhawks hope that the 3rd time is the charm with Sam Lafferty, who they have now brought back into the fold for the 3rd time in his NHL career.

The Blackhawks also traded for Andre Burakovsky

Did Chicago make the right call by re-acquiring Sam Lafferty?