The Vancouver Canucks made a significant trade on Sunday, acquiring forward Sam Lafferty from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
Lafferty, 28 years old, is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. He had a solid performance last season, contributing 27 points (12 goals, 15 assists) in 70 games for both the Maple Leafs and the Chicago Blackhawks. He also tallied three points (one goal, two assists) in nine Stanley Cup Playoff games.
Toronto originally acquired Lafferty in a trade with Chicago on February 27.
The Canucks’ coach, Rick Tocchet, expressed his optimism about the addition of Lafferty to the team, stating, “I spoke with a couple of his former coaches who gave him excellent reviews. He’s a strong, gritty player with great skating ability and goal-scoring skills. Acquiring him gives us a chance to add a more physical presence to our lineup, which was a priority for us.”
Tocchet also highlighted Lafferty’s penalty killing abilities, noting that he had previously worked well in that role alongside Teddy Blueger in Pittsburgh. Tocchet believes Lafferty’s combination of size, toughness, and skating ability makes him a valuable asset.
Drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the fourth round of the 2014 NHL Draft, Lafferty has accumulated 59 points (23 goals, 36 assists) in 210 regular-season games across his career with the Maple Leafs, Blackhawks, and Penguins.
The Canucks’ general manager, Patrik Allvin, expressed his enthusiasm for the trade, saying, “As we strive to become a more formidable team, Sam’s presence will add toughness and physicality to our lineup. We were also impressed with his speed and ability to create space for his teammates. He will be a valuable addition to our forward group and should excel in our penalty-killing unit.”
The Canucks will kick off their season against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Arena on Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET.
NHL.com independent correspondent Kevin Woodley contributed to this report
Sarah Anderson dives into the fast-paced world of NHL hockey. Her coverage includes game analysis, player spotlights, and the latest news from the ice. Sarah’s dedication to the sport ensures that hockey enthusiasts stay informed about the NHL’s thrilling action.
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