Sam Lafferty's time in Buffalo is done, and Sabres fans will not miss him

Sam Lafferty was traded on Tuesday afternoon to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick.
Mar 15, 2025; Buffalo, New York, USA;  Buffalo Sabres center Sam Lafferty (81) looks to control the puck during the second period against the Vegas Golden Knights at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
Mar 15, 2025; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Sam Lafferty (81) looks to control the puck during the second period against the Vegas Golden Knights at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images | Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

The Buffalo Sabres announced today that they are trading Sam Lafferty to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick.

Lafferty, who just turned 30, posted seven points in 60 games with the Sabres during the 2024-25 season. He added 89 hits last season, good for eighth among Buffalo skaters. He also finished tied for fifth on the team with a 50.6% faceoff win percentage, the third-highest faceoff win percentage of his career.

Lafferty’s lack of offense and his horrendous plus-minus of -15 ultimately ended his time in Buffalo, as he was brought in to bolster their 3rd and 4th line. He signed a two-year, four-million-dollar contract with Buffalo before the 24-25 season.

This is a solid deal for the Sabres, as they now shed Lafferty’s salary and pick up a sixth-round pick that they can use in a trade later this summer. The Sabres can use that money to pay their important free agents moving forward.

The Sabres took a swing and a miss with Lafferty this year, but getting rid of him was the best option. Lafferty spent parts of two seasons with Chicago between 2021-2023, earning 32 points in 97 games.

As free agency rolls on, look for the Sabres to make more cap space-clearing trades to sign their franchise players going forward.