Chicago Blackhawks 2025-26 Player Ratings: Sam Lafferty – Hockey Writers – Chicago Blackhawks

I Chicago Blackhawks they finished their 2025-26 campaign in 31st place in the league, with a record of 29-39-14 and 72 points. It was an improvement over last season’s total of 25-46-11 (61 points), but the organization had progress in mind when it began this campaign. The good news is that the Blackhawks finished with more points than last season. They also feel that they have taken a good step in the growth and development of a number of young players, who can be a big part of a successful future.

In this summer series, we will give individual grades to every player on the team. Today, we highlight veteran Sam Lafferty.

Lafferty’s Season Stats

1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points, 2 ejections in 29 games. Average time on ice (ATOI) of 8:36 minutes. FO% (Faceoff percentage) of 50%

47.4 Corsi For Percentage (CF%), 5 shots blocked, 35 hits, 2 takeaways, 15 giveaways, 14 penalty minutes

Contract Status: UFA (Unrestricted Free Agent) this summer

Season overview

Technically returning to Chicago (if you count the time the Blackhawks traded to acquire his signing rights before he signed with the Buffalo Sabers in 2024), Lafferty was expected to be a reliable veteran on the roster. The 31-year-old was familiar with the Blackhawks, and they were familiar with him. He had one of his best seasons in a Blackhawks jersey back in 2022-23, posting a then-high 21 points in 51 games, before being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

So, when the Blackhawks reacquired him last summer from the Sabers, it was assumed that he would bring depth. He wasn’t expected to have a big role, but I don’t think many expected him to be what he was, as he was a healthy chameleon all night in favor of younger players. There was a point in January where he only played two games, and he played more games in March (8 of 16), especially when players like Oliver Moore were injured.

But Lafferty had a brilliant mind. He kept putting in the work. He appeared on skates of his choice. In practice, he sometimes played defense to help balance the pair, and even played defense against St. Louis Blues on April 11, when Ethan Del Mastro is out with an injury.

He was praised throughout the season for doing anything to help the team, and it showed. He was lovable in the locker room, and on the ice, he played a bottom six role. He could slot in as a fourth-line center, where his FO% was the best among centers who played 20 or more games, or a playmaking wing. His one goal against the New Jersey Devils was one to remember.

Quoted Quote

Lafferty was a fun player to ask about because, whether it was head coach Jeff Blashill or his teammates, everyone was eager to talk about him.

Connor Bedard shared with me, “He is one of the best people I have ever met.” Meanwhile, Landon Slaggert said, “Your day is better when Sam Lafferty is a part of it.”

The quote I want to highlight is from a March interview I had with Lafferty about his role. At the time, he had only played 19 of 61 games.

“Well, first of all, it’s great to be a Blackhawk. I love my time here. Like you said, every experience you go through in this league is a little bit different. This year, obviously, we have the youngest team in the league, and we’re trying to figure out how we can take that next step to be a really good team. And my role is a lot smaller this year. Obviously, I’d like to play like you at the same time. You know, sometimes that’s the way it goes. And just try to find things that you can do to help the team, and be it’s a good partner, you know, different places, or training in different places, you want to do it as best as you can in the end.

And yes, so it’s been different for me this year. But at the same time, it was really fun and really rewarding. And I love this group of guys, and I absolutely love being a Blackhawk. It’s an absolute privilege to be in the NHL, let alone play for this organization. Every day is a new day, and whether it’s a practice day, a game day, you just want to enjoy it and make the most of it.”

Lafferty’s Final Grade: C+

If I were grading based on expertise and influence, he would get an A-plus. How he carried himself was a great example of how to become an NHL professional.

On the ice, he was fine when he got it.

Overall, Lafferty may not have had a huge role on the ice, but he may have been the most important unit on the team. He may not be back with the Blackhawks next season, but he will have left a good mark on his teammates.