Career Timeline of Sam Lafferty: Major Achievements and Milestones

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 13, 2025

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Sam Lafferty made an impact.

Sam Lafferty is an American professional ice hockey center currently playing for the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL. Prior to joining the Blackhawks, Lafferty played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, and Buffalo Sabres. He is known for his speed and checking ability.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2013: Career-best season

During the 2013-14 season, Sam Lafferty achieved a career-best 21 goals and 34 assists for 55 points in 25 games and was named to the 2014 Prep School All-New England team.

2014: College Hockey with Brown Bears

In 2014, Sam Lafferty began playing four seasons of college hockey with the Brown Bears men's ice hockey team.

2014: Lafferty Drafted by Penguins

In 2014, Sam Lafferty was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL entry draft after graduating from Deerfield Academy.

2014: Drafted by the Penguins

In 2014, following graduation, Sam Lafferty was drafted by the Penguins in the 2014 NHL entry draft.

2017: Signed with Penguins

In 2017, Sam Lafferty signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL) that began in the 2018-19 season.

February 23, 2018: First Collegiate Hat-Trick

On February 23, 2018, Sam Lafferty scored his first collegiate hat-trick against Harvard.

March 7, 2018: Lafferty Joins Penguins Organization

On March 7, 2018, Sam Lafferty concluded his collegiate career and joined the Pittsburgh Penguins organization.

March 7, 2018: Signed with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

On March 7, 2018, Sam Lafferty concluded his collegiate career by signing an amateur tryout agreement with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL).

April 3, 2018: First Professional Goal

On April 3, 2018, Sam Lafferty recorded his first professional goal against the Hershey Bears while playing for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

2018: Assigned to AHL Affiliate

After attending Pittsburgh's 2018 training camp, Sam Lafferty was re-assigned to their AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

2018: Concluded College Hockey

In 2018, Sam Lafferty concluded his four seasons of college hockey with the Brown Bears men's ice hockey team.

October 8, 2019: NHL Debut

On October 8, 2019, Sam Lafferty made his NHL debut in Pittsburgh's game against the Winnipeg Jets.

October 12, 2019: First NHL Goal and Assist

On October 12, 2019, Sam Lafferty scored his first NHL goal and assist in a 7-4 win over the Minnesota Wild.

January 5, 2022: Traded to Chicago Blackhawks

On January 5, 2022, Sam Lafferty was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Alexander Nylander.

2022: Breakout Season with Blackhawks

During the 2022-23 NHL season, Sam Lafferty was in the midst of breakout season while establishing new offensive highs.

February 27, 2023: Traded to Toronto Maple Leafs

On February 27, 2023, Sam Lafferty, along with Jake McCabe, and two future draft selections was traded by the rebuilding Blackhawks to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Toronto's 2025 first-round pick (conditional), Toronto's second-round pick in 2026, Joey Anderson and Pavel Gogolev.

October 8, 2023: Traded to Vancouver Canucks

On October 8, 2023, Sam Lafferty was traded to the Vancouver Canucks for a fifth-round selection in the 2024 NHL entry draft.

June 26, 2024: Traded Back to Blackhawks

On June 26, 2024, as a pending unrestricted free agent, the Canucks traded Sam Lafferty back to the Blackhawks, alongside Ilya Mikheyev and a second-round pick in 2027, in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2027.

July 1, 2024: Signed with Buffalo Sabres

On July 1, 2024, unable to agree to terms with the Blackhawks, Sam Lafferty signed as a free agent to a two-year, $4 million contract with the Buffalo Sabres.

2024: Fifth-round selection in the 2024 NHL entry draft

On October 8, 2023, Sam Lafferty was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in return for a fifth-round selection in the 2024 NHL entry draft.

July 1, 2025: Return to Chicago Blackhawks

On July 1, 2025, after one season with the Sabres, Sam Lafferty was traded back to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick.

2025: Toronto's 2025 first-round pick

In February 27, 2023, Sam Lafferty was part of a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs, where the Chicago Blackhawks received Toronto's conditional first-round pick in 2025.

2026: Toronto's 2026 second-round pick

In February 27, 2023, Sam Lafferty was part of a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs, where the Chicago Blackhawks received Toronto's second-round pick in 2026.