The trade that sent Jake McCabe and Sam Lafferty from the Chicago Blackhawks to the Toronto Maple Leafs on February 27, 2023, was a significant move for both teams with the Maple Leafs looking to bolster their roster for a deep playoff run and the Blackhawks aiming to accumulate assets for a rebuild. Now, over two years later, it's time to revisit this deal and assess its impact.
At the time, the Maple Leafs, under then-General Manager Kyle Dubas, were determined to improve their competitiveness heading into the playoffs. They acquired McCabe, a dependable left-shot defenseman, and Lafferty, a versatile forward known for his speed and forechecking abilities. In exchange, the Blackhawks received a conditional first-round pick in 2025, a second-round pick in 2026, forwards Joey Anderson, and prospect Pavel Gogolev. Chicago also retained 50% of McCabe's salary, making him an even more attractive acquisition for Toronto.
McCabe immediately stepped into Toronto's lineup, providing stability and physicality on the blue line. In his first partial season with the team, he played 21 regular-season games, scoring one goal and five points, and appeared in all 11 playoff games. He proved to be a reliable defensive presence, logging significant minutes and contributing to the penalty kill. McCabe’s role with the Maple Leafs continued to expand. In the 2023-24 season, he appeared in 73 games, recording a career-high eight goals and 28 points. On October 28, 2024, the Maple Leafs re-signed McCabe to a five-year contract with an average annual value of $4.51 million, solidifying his place in their long-term plans. He continues to be a valuable asset to the team, providing a strong defensive presence and contributing offensively when possible. As of late in the 2024-25 season, McCabe has continued to be a mainstay on the Leafs' blueline.
Lafferty, on the other hand, had a shorter tenure with the Maple Leafs. After being acquired from Chicago, he played 19 regular-season games for Toronto, contributing depth and energy to the forward group. In the 2023 playoffs, he added a goal in nine games. However, his time in Toronto was short-lived, as he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks on October 8, 2023, for a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. This move was primarily motivated by the Maple Leafs' need to create cap flexibility. Lafferty has since bounced around the league, returning to Chicago briefly before signing with the Buffalo Sabres as a free agent in July 2024.
For the Blackhawks, the trade was part of a larger strategy to rebuild through the draft. Acquiring a first-round pick, especially with the potential for it to be a high selection, was a significant win for the organization. The additional second-round pick and prospects further added to their asset base. While Joey Anderson contributed to the Blackhawks, the primary focus was always on the future value of the draft picks.
Looking back, the trade appears to have worked out reasonably well for both sides. The Maple Leafs obtained a solid defenseman in Jake McCabe, who has become a key part of their team, and although Lafferty's time was short, he provided valuable depth during his stint. The Blackhawks successfully added to their pool of draft assets, which is crucial for their long-term rebuild.
The success of the trade ultimately depends on what the Blackhawks do with the acquired draft picks. If they can turn those picks into impactful players, the trade will be viewed as a major victory for Chicago. For Toronto, the re-signing of McCabe indicates their satisfaction with his performance and their belief in his continued contributions to the team's success.
